Willard Glendon Knutson met his beloved Savior on September 7, 2015, at the age of 88 years at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls after a brief illness. Willard was born on August 28, 1927, in rural Centerville to Ariel and Clara (Lunning) Knutson. He received his education at Midway School and graduated from Centerville High School in the class of 1945. Willard married Betty Olson of Davis, South Dakota, on May 20, 1951. He was in the Army from 1950-1952, stationed in Germany. He began farming in the rural Centerville area after his discharge and continued until the present time. He and Betty were blessed with twin sons, Dean and Dale, who farmed with him as well. Willard was a lifelong member of Immanuel Free Lutheran Church in rural Centerville. He loved playing fast pitch softball with the Immanuel Church team in his younger years. He was known as a power-hitting shortstop. He also had a deep love for music which he strove to pass on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He played multiple instruments including the mandolin, trumpet, and fiddle. He also loved to sing and was a member of the original Immanuel men's quartet, Immanuel men's chorus, and choir. He was also a member of the Tri-Valley Barbershop Chorus for nearly 50 years. One of the more recent joys of Willard's life was enjoying his great-grandchildren. They adored Great-Grandpa and he returned their love. It was only in the last month that he was lamenting that he should stop playing ring-around-the-rosie because when he and the kids all fell down it was too hard to get back up. The Lord blessed us beyond measure in giving him to us, and we will greatly miss his example of generosity, love, and faith. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife of 64 years, Betty, and sons Dale and Dean (Julie); grandchildren Kristin (David) Seruyange, Gretchen (David) Mattson, Shannon (Rich) Merkouris, Alison (Peder) Aadahl, and Justin (Jessie) Knutson; and great-grandchildren Simeon and Solomon Seruyange, Leah and Heidi Mattson, Hannah and Henry Merkouris, and Brady and Noelle Aadahl. He is also survived by three sisters, Edith (Mac) Raemer, Maxine (Lloyd) Leaders, and Pauline Buckstead, and a host of nieces and nephews. Willard was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Palmer, Lauren, Alvern, and Johnnie; two sisters, Clarice and Grace; and one sister in infancy, Elizabeth. He was also preceded by daughter-in-law Vickie Knutson and great-granddaughter Lael Seruyange. Visitation will be held at Wass Home for Funerals in Centerville, SD, from 2-7pm on Thursday, September 10. Family will be present from 5-7pm with a prayer service to follow at 7pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 11, at 2pm at Immanuel Free Lutheran Church, rural Centerville. Following the committal service at Holland Cemetery everyone is invited to join the family for fellowship in the church basement.