Wayne Willard

Mr. Gary Wayne Willard age 44 of Resaca, Ga. died Monday June 7th. 2010 from injuries received in a terrorist attack on his compound in Kandahar Afghanistan. Wayne was born in Rockwood Tennessee on Aug. 13, 1965 son of Gerald Willard and the late Brenda Cook Willard. The early part of his life he resided in Rockwood Tn., but had spent most of his life in Dalton until 2001 when he moved to Calhoun. Wayne was a former member of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Department and the Calhoun City Police Department from July 2001 until April 2008. He was promoted to sergeant at the Calhoun Police Department and served as commander of the department's Special Response Team as well as a training officer and regional bomb squad technician. and at the time of his death was employed by Dynacorp International. Wayne had also served with the Northwest Georgia Response bomb squad, based in Floyd County for five years. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps Nov. of 1983 to Nov. of 1989.in the Marine Force Recon. Survivors include his wife Elizabeth Willard of Resaca, one son; Travis Willard of Resaca and a daughter; Samantha Willard of Resaca, his father; Gerald Willard of Rockwood, Tn. a brother; Gerald Edward Willard III, and a sister; Deborah Kay Perry and a half sister; Angela Sebestyn. Funeral services will be conducted at 5:00 Thursday June 17th. from the Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor Craig Folds officiating. Pallbearers serving include, Tim Poarch, William Channell, Josh McKamey, Phillip Herron, Seth Densmore and Rus Davis and they are asked to meet at Thomas Funeral Home at 3;45 P.M. Thursday.Honorary pallbearer include Darrin Smith, Jay Marquez, Eddie Key, Wes Hall, Dale Pullen, Jason Stargell, Louis Dean, Annette Printup, Anthony King and Wes Barrett along with The Calhoun Police Department, Gordon County Sheriff's Department, Floyd County Police and Sheriff's Department, Whitfield Sheriff's Department, Georgia State Patrol and all area Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, the DNR and the Patriot Guard and they are asked to meet at the Thomas Funeral Home at 3:45 P.M.Thursday to escort the body to the Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Gordon County Animal Shelter, 790 Harris Beamer Rd., Calhoun, Ga. 30701 The family will have a private viewing at the funeral home prior to going to the church and will receive visitors immediately following the services. You may sign the online register book at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com. Thomas Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements for Gary Wayne Willard