DR. WILLARD EUGENE SPEED, JR.

Dr. Willard Eugene Speed, Jr., 66, of Jefferson City, died Thursday, October 9, 2008, at his residence. He was born on May 8, 1942, in Lepanto, Ark., the son of Rev. Willard Eugene Sr. and Mary Carolyn Wise Speed. His mother survives in Jefferson City. He was a United States Navy veteran obtaining the rank of Commander serving on the USS Midway as a pilot and flight surgeon. Dr. Speed worked for various hospitals as an emergency room doctor. He was a member of the American Medical Association. Willard loved reading, crossword puzzles, collecting flashlights, and building structures. He also collected guns and made his own bullets. He enjoyed listening to classical music and playing the piano. He was known by his friends as Speedo. Survivors include his wife, Laura Ford, Jefferson City; two sons, Russell Riddell Speed; Willard Eugene Speed, III; two step-sons, Chris Ford and Marty Ford; a step-grandson, James Ford; one sister and brother-in-law, Carol Ann(Speed) and Larry Jones, Jefferson City; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his father. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2008, at Union Hill Baptist Church, Holts Summit, with Brother E. Frank Whitney officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Community Hospices of America, 2418 Hyde Park Rd., Jefferson City, Mo 65109; or to the American Cancer Society, 2413 Hyde Park Rd., Jefferson City, Mo 65109. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.