Willard died suddenly at his home in Regina on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Predeceased by his wife BettyAnn, parents Guy and Myrtle; four siblings Myrel, Evelyn, Fern and Howard. He is survived by his sons Douglas (Kathie Manko and granddaugher Rachel Lutz) of Wolfville, NS, and Bruce of Regina, by his brothers, Leonard (Ann), Allen (Carlene), Lisa, Ron (Burnelle), Stevan (Gail), Maureen (Barry), Scott; brother-in-law Ray Huycke of Nobleton, ON, as well as many other nieces and nephews. Born in Weyburn in 1924, he enlisted in the RCNVR and served aboard HMCS Kokanee on North Atlantic convoy escort duty during the Second World War. He married BettyAnn in 1948. In 1958 he completed the requirements for admission to the Institute of Chartered Accountants and joined the Saskatchewan Department of Health as an auditor. He became a member of the staff of the Provincial Auditor in 1968, and was appointed Acting Provincial Auditor in 1971. Upon appointment by Premier Allan Blakeney in 1972, he became the Provincial Auditor. After serving as Provincial Auditor for 17 years, he retired from public service in 1989. In 1980 he was admitted by the Council of the Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan as a "Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan" for meritorious service to the Institute. Willard was a fearless and courageous advocate for legislative auditing as the best guarantee of government accountability, and the protection of the public interest. He vigorously criticized Saskatchewan governments of all political stripes for their secrecy, unauthorized expenditures, lack of public accountability and the failure to receive value for money. After lengthy and acrimonious public battles with the Saskatchewan government of the late 1980's he was eventually successful in forcing more openness upon the Government of Saskatchewan. Willard could be a hard man. He was principled; he spoke little, he never apologized and he never backed down. As one MLA said "He made it very clear that he served one master: the taxpayers of Saskatchewan. With his retirement, the taxpayers of Saskatchewan lose a good friend." To those who knew him well, he was a very good friend indeed. Friends were invited to join Doug and Bruce and pay their respects to Willard's memory at Speers Family Centre, 2333 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK, on Friday, January 27 at 1:00 pm. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com.
