Willard Preston Anderson, 78, of Palm Coast, transitioned on Friday, December 26, 2014 at Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast. A native of Jesup, GA., he was born on June 3, 1936 to Jack Osbey and Ruth Anderson Ward. He was a graduate of Wayne County Training School, Class of 1954 and was subsequently inducted in the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame. He was united in marriage to his beautiful wife of 55 years, Rachel Anderson on December 26, 1959. He attended Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte, NC, for a year before choosing to serve in the United States Air Force, where he served with distinction for 23 years, retiring as Chief Master Sergeant and Education Superintendent, earning numerous decorations and citations. He earned a B.S degree in Business Administration at the University of Tampa and is a graduate of the Executive Development Institute at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Upon retirement from the USAF, Willard joined ITT Corporation and fulfilled numerous human resources assignments at ITT Rayonier, ITT Hartford, and ITT Corporation Headquarters, where he retired as the company's Vice President of Human Resources and Training, and was awarded the company's highest honor, the Harold S. Geneen award, for designing and implementing the Duke Executive Development Program for ITT leaders. In 1997, following his ITT retirement, Willard and Rachel moved to Palm Coast. Willard was a faithful and active member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and as an Administrator of the church. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and The Hosts of Palm Coast. He was a former Vice President of the Flagler County chapter of the NAACP, a member of the Board of Directors of the Family Life Center, a member of the African-American Cultural Society, and the Master of Ceremonies for the "Motown & Mo" show for many years. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Eagles Golf Club and won numerous club championships. He was also a founding member of the African-American Mentorship program. Willard was always giving of his time, experience, and wisdom. Although he never met a stranger, he especially loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a caring, generous and loving husband and father. Those who cherish his memories: devoted wife of 55 years, Rachel, Palm Coast; son, Christopher of Austin, TX; son, Elliard Preston Anderson and his wife Julie, their two children - Zachary and Sophia - all of Gaithersburg, MD; granddaughter, Dominique, of Buffalo, NY; brothers Larry, Tyrone, Terry, and Jorey Ward; and sisters, Diane Carr and Deanne Graham, and a host of other cherished relatives and adored friends. Visitation of family and friends: 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30 at the church. Homegoing Celebration will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 75 Pine Lakes Pkwy, South, Palm Coast, Reverend Edwin Coffie, Pastor. The Moody Air Force Honor Guard will conduct full military honors. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4070 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL. In lieu of flowers, the Anderson family requests memorial contributions be made to: The Willard Anderson Memorial Fund http://pulmonaryfibrosis.donorpages.com/Tribute/WillardAnderson/; or The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL, 60611.