Van Buren, Maine & Hudson, NC--- Willard J. Dionne 72, peacefully passed away March 18, 2021 at a Winston Salem, NC, hospital, following a well-fought battle with cancer. He was born January 1, 1949 in Van Buren, ME, a son of the late Albert and Gladys (Violette) Dionne.

Willard was drafted into US Marine Corps in 1969, during the Vietnam Era. He served faithfully and honorably over 20 years in his beloved Marine Corps, receiving his honorable discharge in 1989 as a Master Sergeant. He continued his career of service with Joint Special Operations Command for the Dept. of Defense as a civilian in Fort Bragg, NC, among many other units. He and his wife retired and returned to his beloved hometown of Van Buren in 2009. He and his wife loved to restore and renovate the old house they bought and tinkering with woodworking in his shop. Many of his family and friends still have a custom-made birdhouse or crafting item in their home. Willard enjoyed gardening and loved to share his vegetable bounty with his community.

He is survived by: his loving wife of almost 50 years, Brenda (Pruitt) Dionne of Hudson, NC, formerly of Van Buren; three children, Corey Dionne and his wife Kris of Granit Falls, NC, Casey Oldham and her husband Adam of Hickory, NC, and Christopher Lawrence and his wife Nikole of Fayetteville, NC; seven siblings, Marlene Poitras and her husband Etienne, Steve Dionne and his wife Donna, Lloyd Dionne, Clarence Dionne and his wife Norma, Elden Dionne and his wife Ann, all of Van Buren, ME, Nola Belanger and her husband John of Frenchville, ME, and Linda Doucette of Connecticut; four grandsons, Curtis, Joseph, Joshua & Kasey; one grandchild on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Willard was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Norman Dionne.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated privately with Willard's family, with military honors. Spring interment will be in Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou, ME. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren.