Willard Lovell Oliver, 85, of Roanoke Rapids, died Saturday, July 23, 2016 with his loving family by his side.

Willard was born in Smithfield to the late William Fester and Essie Wall Oliver. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Oliver.

Willard was a veteran and served his country in the United States Air Force. He was awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award from Gov. James Hunt in 1982. He was retired from International Paper with 35 years of service. He lead the little league effort to build the Jaycee’s field in Roanoke Rapids, was the assistant state district administrator and was the first local elected officer for the Roanoke Rapids little league. He was inducted into the Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

He is survived by his wife, Erlene Oliver; his son, Woody Oliver and his wife, Diane, of Wake Forest; sisters, Mildred O. Tippett and her husband, Lloyd, of Lillington, and Margaret O. Draper and her husband, Rusty, of Roanoke Rapids; brothers, Bill Oliver and his wife, Betsy, of Gambrills, MD, and Charles Oliver and his wife, Ann, of Calabash, NC; one grandson, Chad Oliver of Cary; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Askew Funeral and Cremation Services with Rev. Sue Owens officiating.

Interment will follow in Cedarwood cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services on Monday, July 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball Fellowship, 720 East 13th St., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.