Willard “Bill” Rodmyre
Willard “Bill” Rodmyre, age 89, of Hector died Monday, November 11, 2019 at Hutchinson Health. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 14th at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church of Hector with Pastor Dave Drager officiating. Burial will be in Fort Ridgley Cemetery, rural Fairfax Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Military rites will be provided by Fairfax VFW and Hector American Legion. Visitation for Bill will be at the church on Wednesday November 13th from 5-7 p.m. and continue there Thursday for one hour prior to the funeral. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.
Willard Paul Rodmyre was born on a farm south of Bird Island, MN, on April 9, 1930 to Spencer and Violet (Peterson) Rodmyre. He attended country school and started farming from a young age. Bill served his country in the U.S. Army from November 1954 until November 1956. During this time, he was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict and was a sharpshooter. After his service, he returned to the Hector area. On June 23, 1962 he married Mar-Jo Borth in Minneapolis. They made their home in rural Hector where they farmed together and were blessed with two children, Ken and Becky. In 1995 Bill and Mar-Jo moved off the farm and into Hector.
Bill was very involved in his community as he was on the Board of Directors for Union Oil, Hector Creamery, and the Renville County Historical Society. He was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Hector and was dedicated to the position of head usher for several decades. He enjoyed many summers of camping and fishing at Hobo Park on Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN. He also loved celebrating Veterans week in Branson, MO, for many years. Bill was passionate about remaining active in military groups such as the Hector American Legion, DAV in Hutchinson and the VFW in Fairfax where he served on the Honor Guard for over 30 years. It was most fitting that Bill passed away on Veterans Day, 2019. Bill will be fondly remembered for his love of cinnamon rolls, having coffee and spending time with his family and friends.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mar-Jo; his son, Ken Rodmyre and wife, Patti (Schulte) and their daughters, Dana and Leah; his daughter, Becky Newland, and husband, Norman and her sons, Logan and Colin, and her daughter, Aubrey. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Spencer and Violet and infant sister, Harriett Rodmyre.