Willie Retha Gilyard, 83, of Bunnell, entered the sunset of life on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at her residence. A native of Aiken South Carolina,  she was the daughter of  William Taft and Willie Mae Moses born on December 27, 1937.   She attended elementary school in Ojus, (Miami-Dade County) Florida and subsequently graduated from the Adult Education program at Carver High School in 1960. She was united in marriage to Sim Gilyard and they became the parents of four children.  Willie was a long-term employee of the Flagler County School District and worked diligently to provide for her family until 1975 when her declining health prevailed.   She really love to praise the Lord and her hobbies included fishing, cooking, baking, enjoying the beach, and loving on her family. She had a hand in every child's life raised in Bunnell during the 1980s because she was the Push-Up Lady . There was always a calling on her life. "Sister Will" served selflessly under Pastor M.L. Thomas as an Evangelist, Prayer Warrior, and Mother of the Church. The scripture she lived by:  3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my child walked in truth."  She passionately professed her love of the Lord and prayed unceasingly for the health and strength of her family. She never met a stranger, and her house was a safe haven for those in need. She was pure in heart and full of God's grace , but she did not play the radio – she was truly an old school Big Momma.

"Sister Will" was preceded in eternal life by her sisters , Sadie Pearl Davis and Zola Moses; brothers : Silas (Sally) and Richard Moses, daughter-in-law , Connie Gilyard, great-grandchild , Nehemiah Gilyard, and godson , Joseph Johnson.

Her LEGACY will be carried on by her beloved children, Shelia (Ronald) Bellamy Bunnell, FL, Janice Gilyard Bunnell, Sim Gilyard, Espanola, and Viola (Kenneth) Crudup Palm Coast; grandchildren, Darrell (Kristen) Jones, Deon Gilyard, Chantrell Steward, Tyechia Steward, Ronald Bellamy III, Sim (Calandra) Gilyard IV, Rosetta Harris, Sonja (Willie) Borom, Cedric McKay, Nikki Gilyard, Otis (Pamela) Gilyard, Gregory Gilyard, Tonya (Daniel) Evans, and Marshwan (SSoley) Gilyard; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Drew, Ryan, Bryan, Patrick, Jr., Loyalty, Deon Jr., Deonnie, Ka'nya, De'vaughn, Elijah, Malakai, Malyshia, Corneluis, Coron, Anton, Ja'zia, Ca'mia, Ashlyn, Otis, Jr., Jhene, Ma'Laya, Amelia, Demetrius, Garielle, Kayla, and Danielle; great-great grandchildren, AnnaManiah, Chloe, Landon, Kinsley, and Malaisha; cherished sisters, Arleatha (OC) White Daytona Beach; Hattie (Andrew) Gilbert and Gertrude Walker both of Palm Coast; g odchildren, Josephine Johnson, Diane Johnson, Lois Johnson, Cleo Higgins, Russell Laster, Ronnie Berry, and Kevin Williams; special friend , Annie Louise Johnson and a host of extended family and friends.

(Mandatory CDC guidelines for social distancing and masks required): Visitation of family and friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, August 13, with Homegoing Celebration at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 14, at Tabernacle of Deliverance Ministries, 407 W. Booe Street, Bunnell. Reverend Windy Butler is the eulogist. Interment will be in Masonic Cemetery, Palm Coast.