Bessie Lawrene (Howard) Willyard was born on November 7, 1912 at Grand, Oklahoma. She was born the thirteenth of fifteen children to David Frank Howard and Orpha Lula (Bauer). She attended the local country grade school.

On August 10, 1930 she married Lee Alexander "Jack" Willyard. To this union ten children were born. Bessie spent her time as a wife, mother, and homemaker. Quilting, drawing, and crocheting were some of her favorite hobbies. Bessie accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior in July of 2004. She attended the Church of Christ.

Bessie was preceded in death by her husband "Jack" Willyard, her daughter Joy Ann Mulkey, parents Orpha and David Howard, siblings: Elmer, Everett, Doris, Ernest, Verle, Esther, Oliver, Alva, Mabel, Clarence, an infant and one set of twin girls.

Bessie is survived by her children, JB Willyard of Puyallup, WA, RB and wife Mary Sue Willyard of Higgins, TX, Wanda Summers and husband Charlie of Hurst, TX, JC Willyard of Arnett, OK, Peggy Thomas and husband Otis of Arnett, OK, JR Willyard of Ft. Worth, TX, Linda Pralle and husband Steve of Perryton, TX, BJ Willyard of Higgins, TX and Brenda Callahan and husband Obie of Higgins, TX; a sister Nettie Howard of Cheyenne, OK; 21 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, many great great-grandchildren, other family and a host of friends.