Willard Delane Hart

It is with heartfelt sympathy that we announce the passing of Mr. Willard Delane Hart of Gadsden, AL, who transitioned on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the age of 75. We ask that you keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Services are pending.

Willard DeLane Hart was born to the union of Robert H. Hart and Minnie Pearl McKinney-Hart on May 15, 1947, in Sylacauga, AL.
He graduated from East Highland High School in 1965. He then joined the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Vietnam War as a Marine Infantry MOS.  He received 2 Purple Hearts, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation during his service, and later he received an honorable discharge.

Upon moving to Gadsden, AL, he met and married the love of his life, Buris Lorraine Clay-Hart, and to this union were born 2 loving daughters, Monique Elaine Hart, and Mia Felecia Hart.

Mr. Hart then attended Gadsden State Community College where he earned an associate’s degree in Business. He later attended Jacksonville State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Student Personnel Counseling.

During the time of expanding his education, he was employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and he retired after 30 years. He was later employed at Gadsden State Community College as a Student Personnel Counselor with the Upward Bound Program and he also taught GED classes at St. Clair County Correctional Facility through GSCC. He retired from GSCC in 2013.

Mr. Willard DeLane Hart was faithfully called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 26, 2022.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Robert H. Hart and Minnie Pearl McKinney-Hart; in-laws, Clyde Clay, Sr. and Nina Bothwell-Clay; sister-in-law, Cheryl Ann Clay-Boyd; brother-in-law, Clyde Clay, Jr.; fur baby, Kobe Hart and daughter-in-love, Angelique Renee Clay Bacop.

Mr. Hart had many hobbies that included studying and meditating on God’s word, fishing, watching Alabama football (in which he was an avid fan), bike riding, spending time with his furbaby Kobe, listening to gospel music, and watching and playing numerous sports.

He would occasionally provide service to his neighbors and friends by cutting their yards.

He served on the board at The Bridge, Inc. and at Rainbow City Hall.

He was a member of MeadowBrook Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and he was also a part of the Men’s ministry. He also served in the Open Hands ministry and The Way of the Cross ministry as well as the Etowah County Jailhouse ministry.

Mr. Hart was a lifetime member of the United States Marine Corps League and he served as Detachment Commandant.

He leaves to cherish his loving, devoted and faithful wife, Buris Lorraine Hart, Rainbow City, AL; two loving daughters, Monique Elaine Hart, Southside, AL, and Mia Felecia Hart, Rainbow City, AL; three granddaughters-in-love, Patrice, Chelsea, and Cicily Bacop, all of Gadsden, AL, several great-grandchildren-in-love, and other relatives, family and friends.

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