ELMO MICHAEL WILLARD ’73
The first-born child of Elmo Riley Willard, III and Patricia Ann Willard, Elmo Michael Willard, was born on November 17, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois–his mother’s hometown. As a newborn, Michael moved with his parents to Washington, DC, where his father began law school. His first three years were spent in the nation’s capital.
In 1954, the young family relocated to Beaumont, Texas, and shortly thereafter, Michael began school at Our Mother of Mercy Elementary. In 1965, following completion of the eighth grade, he embarked upon an illustrious four years at Hebert High School. During his time there, Michael participated in numerous activities including debate, junior varsity basketball and his true passion, golf. In his senior year, Michael was co-captain of the varsity golf team. His success at Hebert, however, was not confined solely to extracurricular activities, for he was inducted into the National Honor Society during his junior year. The following year, 1969, Michael was graduated from high school as a National Achievement Scholar.
As a result of his scholastic standing, Michael was recruited by Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut,–a part of what is referred to as the “Little Ivy League”–and was awarded a partial scholarship. His appearance in Connecticut was noteworthy. Michael was part of the newly burgeoning wave of African-American students attending Ivy League colleges for the first time in large numbers in the nation’s history. He helped open the doors of opportunity to African-Americans for generations to come. In 1973, Michael was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University.
Upon graduation, Michael returned to the city of his earliest years by enrolling in Georgetown University Law Center located in Washington, DC. But law was not to be his calling, and soon after Michael returned to his hometown of Beaumont.
After deep reflection, Michael decided that he needed a complete change of direction. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1979. That proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Michael successfully completed basic training and was shipped to Germany for assignment. It was in Germany that his mental disability of schizophrenia was diagnosed. That illness would alter the course of his remaining years. Michael was twenty-eight.
The next several years were fraught with tension and discomfort as he fought to contain and understand the illness that was slowly gaining control of his life. It must be said that Michael fought valiantly. There were deep reserves of courage and strength within him.
In 1997, Michael moved to Houston where he found some measure of comfort and peace. He chose to live in a personal care home which allowed him independence while providing a safe and secure living environment. Michael garnered joy from the love of his family, his church and belief in God, and his newly formed friendships at The Gathering Place. Although his was not a life he would have chosen, he found contentment in his later years. Elmo Michael Willard departed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 21, 2005.
The gift of Michael’s life is celebrated by all whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmo R. Willard, III, Esq. and is mourned by his mother, Patricia A. Willard; his brother, David A. Willard; his aunt, Shirley R. Simeon, PhD; his cousins, Percy Willard, Joyce Willard, Blandon Willard, Joy Willard, Nora Lee Alexander, Quentin C. Simeon, Mark J. Simeon, Lawrence Green, Monica Brown, Stephanie Campbell, Mary Quash, William Quash, Shawn Quash, Vaughn Quash, and many other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program, PMB 46, 148 S. Dowlen Rd., Beaumont, TX 77707-9898.