Willard Allen Lydick

Willard Allen Lydick, age 94, passed peacefully on June 19, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Willard was born April 28, 1927 to Willie Everett and Elsie Faye (Graham) Lydick.

The youngest of six children, Willard grew up on the family farm east of Amo where he helped in all aspects of the family business. Willard helped with the dairy and delivered milk (door to door) with his dad every day before school.

Willard attended school at Amo, graduating in 1946. He played basketball for Amo throughout his high school career. Willard remained an avid basketball fan throughout his life with IU and the Indiana Pacers being his favorite teams.

After dating for four years, Willard married Madonna (Madge) Wheeler on Nov. 8, 1947. They were married 73 years and had two children.

Willard served two years in the U.S. Army as a crane operator in Korea. Upon returning home, he and Madge set up housekeeping back in Amo. Willard’s lifelong dream was to farm. In working toward this goal, he took other jobs to make money to get started driving a school bus and hauling apples from Washington to Indiana. In 1956, Willard and Madge purchased and moved to their permanent home between Amo and Coatesville.

Willard believed in supporting and giving back to his community. He served on the board of the Amo Cemetery Association for more than 40 years, serving as president for many of those years. He served on the board of directors for Hendricks Power Cooperative (fka REMC) for 30 years, serving as vice president for eight years and president for 10 years.

Willard was a member of the former Amo United Methodist Church. He served on many committees during his years there, as well as president of the board for multiple terms.

In addition to his wife, Willard was preceded in death by both his parents; two sisters, Eula and Freida; and three brothers, Roy, Maynard and Marion.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Anderson (Donald Wingler) of Danville; his son, Dennis Lydick of Coatesville; grandchildren Josh Lydick, Erin Shaffer, Brian Anderson and Mandy Lough (Thomas II); as well as seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 23 at 1 p.m. at the Bousley Funeral Home, Coatesville, with Bill Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Amo Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 22 from 4 until 8 p.m.