Willard Maley Guthrie

Willard Maley Guthrie, 84, of Otway, passed away Thursday, December 6­, 2018, at his home.

His funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Harkers Island, officiated by Bishop B.L. Marcom. Interment will follow at Vergie Mae Cemetery.

Willard was born on December 1, 1934, on Harkers Island, NC to Dorothy Willis Guthrie and Chauncey F. Guthrie. He was Blessed on December 30, 1934, by George Y. Crossley, Baptized on May 16, 1943, by Elder George A. Smith, and Confirmed on May 16, 1943, by Elder Hyrum Maples. He received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Deacon on April 12, 1947, by Elder Paul J. Updike. On January 15, 1950 he was ordained as a Teacher by Chauncey F. Guthrie. On December 30, 1951 he was ordained a Priest by Elder Lenwood Hancock. He was ordained as an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood by Elder Chauncey F. Guthrie on December 20, 1953. He was ordained a High Priest, by his father, Chauncey F. Guthrie, who was also a High Priest, on September 14, 1969.

At an early age, he learned to build boats and worked with his Uncle Julian Guthrie. In May of 1952, he graduated from Smyrna High School and later went on to serve his country for four years in the Navy. He then returned to building boats as it was a love in his life. On April 2, 1965, he married Sybil G. Willis. They were married at the church office by Bishop Henry Alan Brooks and they were Sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on July 21, 1967. Willard loved the Lord and the church. He was a good church worker and served about a year on a District Mission with Bro. Henry A. Brooks. He served as Branch Clerk with Bro. Earl Johnson and Bro. Alton Willis and as a Ward Clerk with Bishop Alton Willis. He served as a Counselor in the Bishopric with David O. Lawrence, Lloyd Michels, Alton Paul Best, George L. Nelson, and again with Alton Paul Best and James W. Paylor. He served on the Stake High Counsel under President Cecil Reese and as the Ward High Priest group leader three different times. He served as Sunday School Teacher and always as a Home Teacher.

In 1968, he began his own boat building business, Will’s Boat House. He became well known as a master boat builder. In his later years, he became famous for making his cast nets and cast net Christmas trees. His Christmas Tree’s are all around in North Carolina, New Jersey, Utah and Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Sybil G. Guthrie, of the home. He was a wonderful husband and a very special, loving and kind step father to their three children: daughter, Suzan W. Teel of Beaufort; sons, Edward Wayne Willis and wife, Rita, of Harkers Island and Rocky B. Willis and wife, Laura, of Washington, NC; sister, Zina M. Guthrie of Beaufort; brother, Heber McKay Guthrie and his wife, Diane, of Gloucester; brother-in-law, Garlon Ingram of Harkers Island; 6 grandchildren, Ray Perritt, Christine Grizalva, Rosanna Paz, Eddie Willis, Beau Davis, and Nicholas Klapp; 9 great-grandchildren, Darin, Taylor, Ana, Alex, Ava, Lea, Sam, Mckenzie and Delaney; 3 great-grandchildren, Jasper, Mila and Patrick; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Chauncey F. Guthrie; mother, Dorothy W. Guthrie; sister, Nancy Dee Ingram; and son-in-law, Valerian Teel.

Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Harkers Island.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.