Kenneth Russel Willard
“Ken”
Fairport NY: November 22, 2017 at the age of 94. Ken is Predeceased by his wife Teresa “Terry” and infant son, Brian. Survived by his son, Kevin (Roxanne) Willard, of Victor NY and grandson Alexander Willard.
Ken was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Went to college at The University of Rhode Island and got his bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.
He was a U.S. Airforce veteran of World War II and placed armament on P51 airplanes in Europe. He holds the record of most rounds fired without jamming on a P51 airplane. Ken was in the Airforce 339th Fighter Group. Watch his interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBY9bqKXJEo
He spent his professional life in the automotive industry first working at DuPont testing Petroleum additives in test vehicles which could go 1500 miles without refueling (multiple fuel tanks). In 1963 he moved to Fairport and became the General Motors service manager at Rochester Products Carburetors. His interests were many including 339th Airforce reunions, restoring a 1964 turbo Spyder Corvair convertible, racing cross country several times as a mechanic on the Great American Race with 80-100 year old cars (winning a couple of times on the Sharp Team). Liked to spend hours fabricating parts in his basement machine shop for his mechanical projects.
A private memorial was held by the family.