Willard was born on January 6th, 1929, to Hubert and Ora Kuhlmann near Elk Creek, NE. He was a big brother to Rolland, Lester, and Elaine. Willard's early education started at the "rock school" also known as "pigtail". Willard was baptized and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church (Long Branch). He graduated from Bratton Union High School with the class of 1947. Bratton Union High was the first country high school in the state of NE. Growing up, Willard loved listening to Big Band music such as Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo. He would often listen to his favorite music using his transistor radio while milking the cows.

Willard was drafted into the military in February 1951 and served in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for his basic training. After completing bootcamp, Willard received an opportunity to be stationed in the Yukon Territory in Canada, where they were building a new Army base and airstrip. Willard would often write home about porcupines and the extremely cold weather (-40 degrees). Willard's Sergeant noticed his carpentry talents and put him in charge of the work crews.

After his discharge from the service, he asked Marjorie Ann Bohling for her hand in marriage. Willard proposed to Marge at her birthday dinner by putting a diamond ring atop the angel food birthday cake, and a wedding was soon to follow. They were married on June 18th, 1953. It was also during this time that they found a community at St. Paul's Hickory Grove Church where they were heavily involved with the congregation. Willard remained a member of this church up until his final years.

Willard began his career as a carpenter building homes and early on worked for the Peru lumber yard. Willard and Marge moved from Peru to Auburn, and he continued to build houses and do other types of carpentry work. His main love was designing and drafting architectural projects. Willard designed and built the Auburn Clinic on Central Avenue, but he was most proud of designing and building St. James (Long Branch) Church, which was dedicated in 1963. In the early 1960's he started Tri-Co Builders & Supply Inc. which later branched into the business of Butler metal buildings and grain bins. He completed many projects for farmers in Southeast Nebraska.

He and Marge welcomed five children into the world; Gary (1954), Rick (1957 a New Year's baby), Alan (1963), Karen (1966), and Kevin (1972). After doing a wonderful job raising their five children and retiring, it was time for them to discover new joys. They joined a square dance club in Auburn and spent 20 years dancing in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. On occasion while visiting their kids in Colorado, they would attend square dances at different clubs. At one such event, they danced on the Royal Gorge Bridge, which holds very special memories. Also winter time trips to Arizona were made for some warm weather enjoyment.

While the years were flying by, they were blessed with six grandchildren; Tiffany, Heather, Caitlyn, Halie, Kendall, Natalie (step-granddaughter) and six great-grandchildren. Willard loved all his children and grandchildren equally and would do anything for them.

While enjoying all that retirement had to offer, there was plenty of time for Willard to return to what he enjoyed the most; building design and architecture. He was able to channel this passion into designing and building his and Marge's dream home, as well as lending his expertise to son Rick and wife, Christy, as they designed their dream home in Osage Beach, MO.

Willard cherished family above all else and will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He had a long and amazing, well-lived life. He was a legend to all of us!

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Lester along with many relatives and his in-laws. Survivors include his wife Marge of Auburn, sons Gary of Windsor, CO, Rick (Christy) of Osage Beach, MO, Alan (Vickie) of Loveland, CO, Kevin of Auburn and daughter Karen Gates (Jeff) of Highlands Ranch, CO, all of his grandchildren, brother Rolland of Canon City, CO, sister Elaine Schendt of Grandview, MO and sister-in-law Carol Rathke of Solon, Iowa.

Willard's ashes will be laid to rest on June 18th, 2026, which marks the 73rd wedding anniversary of Willard and Marge Kuhlmann.

A memorial service will be Thursday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Hickory Grove) near Auburn. Burial of ashes will follow in the church cemetery with military honors, followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00.

Memorials are suggested to Hickory Grove Church or Auburn Rescue Squad.