Bruce Willard died Aug. 9, 2014 in Arizona where he had been undergoing cancer treatment. Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date. 

He was born July 24, 1935, in Oakfield, Wis. Bruce was a Homer resident since 1946. He was a true Alaskan. He homesteaded with his wife Linda in 1959, was a commercial fisherman, big game guide, company commander of the local National Guard, a longshoreman and a cattle rancher. He was on the board of directors of the Alaska Farm Bureau and a strong supporter of Alaska agriculture. 

He is preceded in death by his father, George (Jess) Willard; his mother, Alyce Willard; and sons, Bruce Douglas and Jess Robert. 

He is survived by his wife Linda; sister, Joann Butt; daughters, Tammy Hagan and Kristin Willard; grandchildren, Trisha Jones, Corissa Martin, Lacy Cissney, Connor, Devin, Jake and Allie Gleason, Caroline Gardner and Rebecca Willard; and great-grandchildren, Riley and Chase Jones, Charity and Thomas Martin, and Timmy and Emma Cissney. 

“Bruce will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. We take comfort that he is now with the Lord,” his family said.