Price, Willard R.

Willard R. Price, 75, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, after a valiant battle with cancer. Memorial services: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel by the Chaplain Joe Kane. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Paula; his children, Melanie Giannetto of Cedar Rapids, Matthew Price of San Antonio, Texas, Laura Price of St. Louis Park, Minn. and Rebecca Price of Cedar Rapids; his granddaughters, Deborah (Abbey) Lee-Price and Ashley Giannetto; great-granddaughter, Baelee Perez, all of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Phillip Price; his sisters, Shirley Barta and Bonita Price, both of Cedar Rapids; his foster mother, Lorraine Husmann; and foster sister, Christi Goldbeck, both of Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his foster father, Irvin; his brothers, Russell and Donald Price; and brother-in-law, Richard Barta.

Willard was born June 16, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of William and Phyllis (Ramsey) Price. His most enjoyable times as a child were days spent on the Husmann family farm where he developed a love for the outdoors. After serving in the U.S. Army, Willard worked for Wilson's Meat Packing before getting a job as a clerk with the United States Postal Service. While working the night shift, he met Paula and they were married in Rock Island, Ill., on May 25, 1973. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, basketball and was an avid gardener and also had a fondness for casinos. More than anything else, the time spent with his granddaughters and Baelee meant the most to him.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kim and Christi for their loving and compassionate care of Willard. We would also like to thank his best friend of 52 years, Parnell Ettledorf for his unwavering support throughout the years.

Please leave a message for the family on the Web page under obituaries.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 12, 2013.