Obituary

Richard L. Willand (aka Rich, Dick) beloved husband, dad, grandfather, and friend went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the age of 81.  He was born on the family farm in Ferndale, WA on April 14, 1942, to Olve and Frances Willand.

Rich graduated from Ferndale High School in 1960 and worked in the family business, Willand Auto Parts, until beginning his career in 1965 in the potlines with Intalco Aluminum Corporation.  He retired in 1998 after 33 years of service as a Process Controls Engineer.  While working at Intalco, Rich became interested in learning to do his own personal taxes, so he began taking tax courses.  He found he had a passion for this and later obtained his IRS Enrolled Agent certification and began a second career as a tax accountant and worked at Multop & Associates, H&R Block and then later his own business, Willand Legacy.

Rich wanted to learn how to fly so his wife, Kaye, surprised him with flying lessons and he obtained his private pilots license in 1970.  Rich and the family enjoyed many flights around Whatcom County, the islands, and other areas in the PNW and was a member of the Christian Pilots Association during his active flying years.  Rich was also a member of the Delta Fire Dept, District #3 in Lynden from 1975 to 1989 where he was proud to serve his community and neighbors in need.

Rich soon picked up boating as a hobby.  He first purchased a 30-foot sailboat (although Kaye couldn’t swim – she sailed with him with a smile) and sailed around the waterways of the PNW and, after many knee surgeries, he eventually got a 32-foot motorboat, so he could still enjoy the water and San Juan Islands with friends and family.  After many years of boating, he and Kaye decided to try dry land and began RVing in a motorhome for weeks at a time each year throughout the United States.  These treks around the US also helped complete his endeavors to document his family heritage and genealogy.

Rich is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Kaye (Rea), daughter, Lauri Waggoner and her husband, Tom, son, Mark Willand and his wife, Sherri, grandsons, Alex Willand and Ben Willand, sister, Lola Lindell, brother, Ronald Willand and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Olve and Frances Willand, brother, Ordean Willand, and sister Elaine Willand.

Memorial and graveside services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 1:00pm at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Dr, Ferndale, WA.