Willard A. Emmert, 74, of Grinnell, Iowa, died on Monday, March 26, 2012, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 30, 2012, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Rev. Raymond Lott officiating. Casket Bearers will be Pat Allen, Dale Emmert, Tom Harris, Howard Johnston, Scott Schmidt, Craig Starnes and Joey Vymetal. Interment will be at the Chester Cemetery near Grinnell. Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell beginning 12 noon on Thursday. The Emmert family will be present at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to the Blue Ribbon Foundation of the Iowa State Fair. Willard was born on September 3, 1937, in Grinnell, Iowa to Lee and Mary Allen Emmert. He was raised on the family farm in Chester Township and attended the Chester Center School. He also attended Newburg High School. Following his education he assisted his family with farming and was a member of the Army Reserves. On November 28, 1958, he was married to Sally Squire at the United Methodist Church in Grinnell. The couple lived in Chester Township, where they owned and operated a grain and livestock farm. He moved to Grinnell in 2006. Willard was a member of the United Methodist Church of Grinnell, the Eagles Club and the Elks Lodge. He was active in 4-H for many years as well. He enjoyed the farm life, family events, fishing, NASCAR and attending Iowa Hawkeye football games. During his years as a farmer he loved attending the Iowa State Fair and showing cattle at local and state cattle shows. Williard is survived by his two daughters, Charlotte (Joe) Vymetal of Grinnell and Kathy (Paul) Burg of Jackson, Michigan; eight grandchildren, Anna, Devin, Joey and Nicole Vymetal, Paig Cross, Grace, Paul and Peri Burg; one sister, Shirley Starnes of Grinnell; and one half sister, Betty Jantzen of Tama. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and one brother, Marvin Emmert.