Obituary of Willard (Bill) Lockart

Willard (Bill) Delmar Lockart, 99, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2013, in McPherson, Kansas. He was born December 6, 1913 in Caryle, Kansas to Ellsworth and Hallie Banks Lockart. Bill worked as a farmer until he entered the army in January 1942. He was an infantry medic with the 83rd Division of the 329th infantry. He trained in England and participated in the Normandy Invasion, landing on Omaha beach with his division. They fought their way out of the Battle of the Bulge and were the first infantry division to reach the Rhine River. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. After his military service, Bill worked for the US Postal Service in Colony, Kansas and Shawnee Mission, Kansas until his retirement in 1973 when he and his beloved wife Bess moved to Lindsborg, Kansas. He loved gardening, bicycling, horseback riding, helping his daughter Maleta at art fairs and exhibitions, and being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and Bess were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church, Lindsborg. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Annabelle Hill Lockart; parents, Ellsworth and Hallie Banks Lockart; three brothers, Michael, Walter and Edward Lockart; six sisters, Waunita McDermott, Florence Day, Helen Hendrix, Lola Call, Hazel Simpson, and Betty Taylor; and his son-in-law, Wayne Forsberg. Survivors include his daughter, Maleta Forsberg; his grandchildren, Jeannie Moncrief and husband Bob, Lori Swift and husband Mark, Lesly Forsberg and husband, Dr. Wayne Steckelberg; his great-grandchildren, Arian Taherzadeh and wife Madeeha Jauhar; Matthew Swift and wife Christin; Kelsey Moncrief, Thomas Swift and wife Sondra; Nicholas Moncrief, Andrew Taherzadeh and Robert Swift; one great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth Maleta Swift; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, February 1, from 4-7pm at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 224 South Main, Lindsborg, Kansas, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Private burial will be at Valley View Cemetery, Roxbury, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Lindsborg, Kansas, in care of Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington Street, PO Box 386, Lindsborg, Kansas, 67456. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com