Final Salute

Willard G. Coutts, 76, of Forty Fort, peacefully went into the arms of the Lord on Saturday evening, Jan. 22, 2022, at his home after a five-year courageous battle with cancer and COPD.

Willard was born on June 8, 1945, son of the late Margaret Lisovsky and Willard Coutts Sr.

A life resident of Forty Fort, Willard was educated in Forty Fort schools and was a 1964 graduate of Forty Fort High School, where he participated on the wrestling and football team and then became a member of the marching band. He received an associate degree from Lackawanna Junior College.

Willard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April of 1965. After boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill., he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Hornet of the 7th Fleet, serving four years during the Vietnam War in the South China Sea, and the Gulf of Tonkin.

Willard was in charge of all cargo handling and damage control. He received many honors including “white hat of the month.” He was honorably discharged in May of 1969. In 1971 he joined the reserve unit of the 21st Seabees stationed in Avoca, where he served for 20 years, again being honorably discharged.

Willard was a life member of Stella Presbyterian Church, where he served as ruling elder for many years. He was a 50-year member of the Wyoming Masonic Lodge and the Irem Temple, Dallas.

Willard was a construction mechanic and worked for L.B. Smith for many years, also Sterling Truck, International Harvester and Hadsall Construction.

In his teen years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing; later in life, he was a member of a bagpipe band.

Willard was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Ann Williams; and brothers-in-law, Frank Williams; and Samuel Liguori.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shirley Ackerman Coutts; daughters, Heather (Mark) Coutts/Lamonte; and Jennifer (Simon) Coutts/Hill; stepgrandchildren, Marissa and Lance Lamonte and Chloe Hill; sister, Sandra Liguori Texas; brother-in-law, Roger (Jane) Ackerman; numerous nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; goddaughter, Rebecca Steeber, Ohio; many special friends; and his beloved dog, Sammie.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Stella Presbyterian Church, 1700 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with the Rev. William Lukesh officiating. Interment will follow in Wyoming Cemetery, Wyoming, where military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Navy. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Those attending the funeral service are asked to go directly to the church Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stella Presbyterian Church, Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude’s or to Tunnel’s for Towers, in Willard’s memory.