Willard Scholl

Willard Calvin Scholl, 85, of Griffin, Georgia passed away May 11, 2008. He lived a long and fulfilling life. Willard grew up in Greenville, Ohio as one of five children working the 100 acre family farm. He had a passion for flying that began when he learned to fly at age 15. Willard married Frances Davis Scholl in 1940 and then joined the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought in World War II in the South Pacific by operating a Landing Craft military ship that delivered soldiers and tanks to the beaches. He and Frances missed each other terribly and wrote daily during the war. Their one child, Douglas Scholl, was born during the war in 1945. After the war, he continued working the family farm and then worked as a purchasing agent for manufacturing companies in Ohio. Frances and Willard were happily married for 33 years until her untimely death of cancer in 1973. Willard’s passion for music began when he moved to Griffin and married Grace Hallquist, a talented pianist and organist serving at First Baptist Church of Griffin. Together, they owned Scholl’s Piano Shop in Griffin for 10 years, where he enjoyed tuning and rebuilding pianos while Grace taught piano lessons. They were both members of the First Baptist Church of Barnesville and were married for 25 years until she died of cancer in 2001. Willard’s passion for flying continued throughout his life. He built two planes as a hobby and then joined a small group of people with a vision to glorify God by helping others needing air transportation. Willard worked fervently with the Christian Air Ministry of Griffin for 25 years, serving as the director until age 83. He loved how he was able to combine his desire to spread the Word of God by helping others while flying the skies he loved. Willard had a heart for helping the disadvantaged and a zeal for telling them about his love for Jesus. He was also known for his quick wit and funny one-liners that remained with him until the end. His survivors include his son, Douglas Scholl and his granddaughters Lori Scholl Martinez and Jenny Scholl Meeks along with their husbands, Tony Martinez and Teddy Meeks. Great-Grandchildren include Ann Marie Martinez, Alexandra Martinez, Chaz Martinez, Morgan Meeks, Hudson Meeks, and Davis Meeks. Visitation will be at the home of Lori and Tony Martinez on Tuesday night from 7:00 - 9:00pm at 220 Westchester Drive, Griffin. The family will have a private, graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Christian Air Ministry, PO Box 1245, Griffin, GA, 30224.

Willard Scholl

May 26, 1922 - May 11, 2008