Willard Allacher

Willard Edward Allacher was born in Traer, KS on April 15, 1932, to Edward Earnest and Iva (Cox) Allacher. Willard passed away on December 13, 2015 at the age of 83, with his loving family at his side. In 1943, the family moved north of Flagler, CO, after many years of moving around Kansas. Willard enjoyed riding his horse to country school. In September 1945 the family moved to their forever home on the east edge of Flagler. From the 8th grade through graduation he attended Flagler Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1950. When visiting with classmate, Tom Jensen, we found he didn’t do well in basketball because of his glasses. To the day he died, he disliked the game of basketball. Three days after graduating high school, Willard, and two friends, Orville Gritz and Fritz Bradley, joined the Navy. Willard spent four years on the USS Princeton as a gunner. Through the service, he traveled extensively, seeing much of the world and a lot of water. He was discharged on March 18, 1954. After hitch hiking from Washington he arrived home in Flagler. To his surprise he met his future wife, Shirley Rae Karnes, who hadn’t lived in Flagler long. Willard and Shirley were married on July 24, 1955 and celebrated 60 years of marriage last summer. They were blessed with four sons and one daughter, Ross Evans, Shirley Jane, Ord Davis, Scott Eric and Matthew Wade. For a short time Willard and Shirley lived in rental homes until they purchased their home east of Flagler where he resided until the time of his death. Willard worked at the Flagler Co-op for 38 years, retiring in 1995. He was known as the M&M man by his young customers. After all these years we still hear about how he would share M&M’s with the young kids who came into the Co-op. He also worked part time for Otteman’s Slaughter House and after his retirement he worked summers for the Kit Carson County until his health no longer allowed him to work. In his younger years, Willard enjoyed fishing, hunting coyotes, and playing with his children and their friends. After retiring he raised Holstein cattle and attended auctions, always seeking treasures. Willard was preceded in death by his son and wife, Ord and Mary K. Allacher, his parents, his sister, Florence Reeder, and his in-laws. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Allacher, children, Ross (Becky) of Yuma, CO, Jane Jones of Burlington, Scott (Mary) of Flagler, CO, Matt (Tish) of Otis, CO and grandchildren Jake and Jared William Allacher of Flagler, Mike, Kerrie and Kristin Allacher of Burlington, Vance (Jeanette) Jones of Ft. Collins, Jared Earl Allacher of Annapolis, MD, Jason and Jamie Allacher of Otis, and one great grandson, Jackson Jones of Ft. Collins.