Willard Boarman

Willard Arthur Boarman, 87 of La Plata, MD died on January 30, 2008 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Washington, DC on June 12, 1920, he was one of thirteen children of the late James Wise Boarman and Grace Alice Smith. He was raised in Charles County on the family farm near Newport, MD adjacent to Zekiah Swamp and attended McConchie One Room School, Glasva and Bel Alton Schools and helped work the family farm. He enlisted in the Marine Corps sixteen months before World War II began and served his country loyally for six years. His service included fierce combat on Guadalcanal, Bouganville, Pelelieu, Cape Gloucester and Okinawa with the U. S. First Marine Division. He was honorably discharged on July 31, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. After his discharge from the Marine Corps he was employed by the railroad for seventeen years at Washington Terminal Company in Washington, DC. He first married the former Mary Waneta Stewart of Cumberland, MD in January 1945. The couple had one daughter, Sonja, one step daughter Donna Rae Branson and two sons, Willard A. Boarman II and Robert A. Boarman. He and the first Mrs. Boarman were divorced in August 1958. In July 1963 he married the former Marie Myrtle Simpson Wood of Washington, DC and had two sons, Mark E. and Thomas M. Boarman. Marie preceded him December 23, 2005. In 1969 he returned to his family farm, Boarman Valley with Marie and continued raising tobacco just as his father and forefathers did. The Boarman Valley farm dates back to approximately 1650 when Major William Boarman, one of the earliest Maryland settlers, was granted this land by Charles Calvert, the third Lord Baltimore. This land had been farmed by the Boarman family continously since that time. He will be remembered for his out going, friendliness to all people. His life centered aound his family and love of all animals. He was noted for his excellent rabbit beagle dogs that he bred and hunted with. Just as his father, he raised homing pigeons and raced them competitively. He was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Maryland which still stands on property donated by Major William Boarman and he proudly served as a Eucharistic Minister. Visitation on Monday, February 4, 2008 from 2-4 & 6-8PM with Wake Service and V. F. W. Service at 7PM at Raymond Funeral Chapel La Plata, MD. Mass of Christian burial on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 11AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Newport, MD with Father Fred MacIntyre officiating. Interment Church Cemetery. Pallbearers Robert Boarman, Francis Boarman, Christopher Boarman, Willard A. Boarman III, Francis E. Warring and Nathan Cummiskey. Honorary Pallbearers Howard Boarman, John Boarman, Harold Boarman, Clintin Watson and the U. S. Marine Corps Honor Guard.

Willard Boarman

June 12, 1920 - January 30, 2008