Willard Ivan Sawyer, Jr., 77, of Macomb, OK, died Dec. 8, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
He was born Aug. 16, 1944. to Willard Ivan Sawyer, Sr. and Rena Pearl (Anderson) Sawyer in Fletcher, OK.
Willard was raised in Macomb and attended Macomb Public Schools where he played baseball and participated in FFA. He graduated with the class of 1962 from Macomb High School.
After high school he attended and graduated from Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Education. He later attended the University of Central Oklahoma (U.C. O.) in Edmond, OK, where he earned his Master’s degree in Political Science.
Willard served his country in the United States Army from Feb. 7, 1966, to Jan. 27, 1969, when he was honorably discharged.
He taught the G.E.D. program at the Women’s Prison in Watonga, OK, and also taught Math and History at Bristow Public Schools.
In his younger days he enjoyed breaking horses and in high school, he rode bulls in the rodeo. He enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and loved country music.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Regina Sawyer; brothers, Arthur Mercer, Johnny Mercer and Bob Williams; and sister, Ellen Mercer.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marylynn and David Batchelder of Newcastle, OK; two grandchildren, Emma Batchelder and Toby Batchelder; significant other, Alice Arce of Oklahoma City, OK; former spouse, Billie Sawyer of Shawnee, OK; and other extended family and friends.
Graveside Service was Dec. 15, 2021, at Prairie View Cemetery in Macomb with Pastor Jerry States officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
