Willard George Loewen

LOEWEN — Willard George, 83; born Oct. 16, 1936, Jamestown, North Dakota; died Aug. 10, 2020, . Surviving: wife of 32 years, Kathy; sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Valerie; Roy and Tonya; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Jason Bouffine; sister, Loretta Koenig, Loma Linda, California; 4 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Willard George Loewen

1936–2020

Willard George Loewen passed to his rest Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at the age of 83.

Willard was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, to George and Emma Loewen on Oct. 16, 1936. He graduated from Lodi Academy in 1954, Pacific Union College in 1958 and Potomac University in 1959, with a Master of Arts in theology. He interned in St Louis, Missouri, and was ordained in 1965, serving first in Missouri and Iowa, then in Oregon from 1977 to 1999. After that Willard passionately led Oregon Prison Ministries for 16 years. The gospel of Jesus and Willard's unconditional love reached scores of inmates, many still like family and faithful to God.

Willard was preceded in death by his father, George Loewen, Fairmont Church pastor in Lodi, California; his mother, Emma; big brother, Mike, dean of men at Plainview Academy, Lodi Academy, Columbia Union College and Walla Walla University; sister-in-law, Essie Lee; and brother-in-law, Vernon Koenig, of Loma Linda University. He is survived by Kathy, his wife and helpmate of 32 years; sister, Loretta Koenig, Loma Linda, California; sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Valerie, Roy and Tonya; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Jason Bouffine; 4 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Willard loved these things: his family, preaching about Jesus, prison ministries, giving Bible studies, playing trombone and piano, photography and making his own slides, especially when computers and PowerPoint came along. For his evangelistic series “In the Footsteps of Jesus,” he composed a song of the same name. Each evening a new stanza correlated with his topic. His favorite song was “Jesus Loves Me." He liked playing games, studying World War II history, camping and beachcombing. He'd often break the ice with a good joke. He was affectionately called Wimpy because his big brother Mike was SO BIG! He'll be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Celebrations of his life will be held next summer at the Cedarhome Church in Stanwood, Washington, Sabbath, Aug. 14, 2021, at 3 p.m., and also at the East Salem Church in Salem, Oregon, Sabbath, Aug. 21, 2021, at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Willard’s passion, Hope House, where transitioning inmates acclimate to a new life on the outside with Adventist support. Mail your valued gift to the Washington Conference, 32229 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way, WA 98001 (memo line "Willard"), or donate online at HopeHouseofTacoma.com.