Willard W. Barber, 87
ADAMS, Mass. - Willard W. Barber, 87, of 51 North Summer St. died Friday, March 18, 2011, at the home of his daughter in Bennington, Vt.
Born in Adams on Nov. 24, 1923, a son of Ovila J. and Avelena Charbonneau Barber, he attended schools in Adams.
A Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he served with the 3rd Marine Division in the South Pacific and in such places as American Samoa, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Guam. He was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two combat stars and a Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Barber was a lifetime member of the local Carpenters Union and worked for various construction companies. He retired in 1985.
He was a communicant of the former Parish of Notre Dame-St. Thomas. He also was a member of the Adams Lodge of Elks, Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125 in North Adams, the Sons of Italy and the Berkshire County Deputy Sheriffs Association, and a charter member of Burnette-Bednarz Post 1995 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His wife, the former Ida Prenguber, whom he married May 3, 1947, in the former St. Francis of Assisi Church in North Adams, died June 27, 2005.
Besides his daughter, Diane Dowgiewicz and her husband, Richard, of Bennington, he leaves two grandchildren, Mathew and Maria, and a great-grandson, Rhory.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mr. Barber will be celebrated Monday, March 21, at 11 at Sacred Heart-St. Francis de Sales Church in Bennington, Vt. Burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial donations are suggested for the Missionaries of the Poor through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.