Reverend Willard Marion Irwin, 82, Minot, died on Monday, March 17, 2008, in his home.

Willard was born September 6, 1925, on the family farm near Sawyer ND to Claude and Marian (Seney) Irwin.  He was raised and educated in the South Prairie area. As a young adult he assisted on the family farm in Willis Township of Ward County south of Minot.

Willard was united in marriage to Marcella Livingston on January 16, 1944, in Minot. They made their home in Minot, before moving to Fargo, where he helped establish the Church of God Church.  In 1953, they moved to Harvey, Illinois, where they established the Harvey Church of God and resided for ten years before moving to Parshall, ND.  He was ordained as a minister in 1964.  Willard served as an assistant pastor at the Church of God in Parshall, ND for three years until he moved to Minot, ND in 1969.

Pastor Irwin served as the minister at the Church of God of Prophecy in Minot, for five years until helping to establish the River of Life Assembly of God in Minot.  Willard and Marcella moved to Albany, Oregon in 1987.

They returned to Minot in 1995, and established the Lighthouse Church where Willard currently served as pastor.  He served as a minister for almost sixty years.

Willard was a former member of the Church of God and Assembly of God in the communities where he lived.

His hobbies and special interests included hunting, reading and gardening.

Willard’s loving family includes his wife of 64 years, Marcella, Minot; Children:  Gloria Moran, of Jacksonville, FL and Delwin Irwin of Albany, OR and Minot; Brother:  Bernard (Laurel) Irwin, Minot; Sister:  Opal (Harold) Rovig, Minot; Grandchildren:  Eric, Patrick, and Shane Moran, Delwin Jr. and Justin Irwin; Great-Grandchildren:  Alec and Morgan Moran and Cole Irwin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Blanche and brothers, Roy, Albert and Lynn Irwin.

Funeral:  Monday, March 24, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in First Assembly of God, Minot;
Interment:  Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND;
Visitation:  Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.
Memorials:  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Teen Challenge.

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