Willard Erickson

Willard Erickson, age 92, passed away April 20, 2018 at Trinity Center in Des Moines. He was born March 4, 1926 to Winnie (Overton) and Carl Erickson in Des Moines, Iowa. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Castle Rock in Saipan, Guam, and Hawaii. He was a professional truck driver for Rock Island Motor Transit; after they closed he drove for various other trucking companies until his retirement. He was especially proud of his 25-year safe driving award from the Teamsters Union. In Willard’s later years he enjoyed making lamps out of flower pots and gifting and selling them to friends and family.

He met his future wife, Alice, while delivering fuel oil to her parents; they soon fell in love, married, and were blessed with four children. Their love and devotion to one another has been an inspiration to all they meet. Willard’s love for the Lord, his sweetheart, family, and friends made him the man so many loved and cherished.

A funeral service will be held at 11am, Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street in Des Moines. Burial will follow the service at Avon Cemetery. A visitation will occur Wednesday evening from 5-8pm at the funeral home.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Alice; children, Rick (Joan) Erickson, David (Bev) Erickson, Kathy Erickson and Carl (Terri) Erickson; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and other loving family and friends.
Willard is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Wynette Wright; brother, Earl
Erickson; grandsons, Joshua and Benjamin Erickson.

Memorial contributions may be directed toward The Disabled Veterans Foundation in loving memory of Willard.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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