Willard Preston Palmer, the son of Walter Lee Palmer and Zella Myrtle Hamilton Palmer, was born on December 18, 1933 near Catron, Missouri and departed this life on October 15, 2019 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 85 years, 9 months and 27 days.  He was united in marriage to Arvilla Dean Murphy at Frank Clay, Missouri on July 31, 1953 and to this union two children were born; Deana Sue and Penny Danette.

He is survived by his wife, Arvilla Palmer of their home in Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Deana Sue Palmer and Penny Danette Palmer Haughey and son-in-law, John William Haughey and by two grandsons, William Jacob Haughey and Joshua Palmer Haughey, all of Olathe, Kansas; by his brother, Norman Palmer of Franklin, Indiana; by three sisters, Faye Miller of Malden, Missouri, Neoma Gibson of Shoals, Indiana and Leona Downs of Franklin, Indiana; and by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews and some great-great-great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by three sisters, Ethel Cecil, Vesta Hardin, Betty Lou Spane Boner and by three brothers, Nelson Palmer, Charles Palmer and James Palmer.

Preston served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 as an MTR Operator.  He worked as a plumber, carpenter, farmer and for 20 plus years as an Insurance Agent and Staff Manager.  In the late 1970’s he felt the call to preach and became a Pastor and an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene.  He pastored for 20 years.  Preston loved God, the Church, his Family and Friends very much.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   

Funeral services will then be conducted at the First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Mike Palmer and Rev. Douglas West officiating.   

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.