Obituary of Nicholas Andrew Willard
Nicholas Andrew Willard (40) former St. Maries, ID resident and current resident of Fairfield, WA passed away surrounded by his loving family at his home on January 2, 2025 after a short and aggressive battle with cancer. He was born to Gary and Denise (Sines) Willard on August 3, 1984 in Spokane, WA. Nick grew up near Santa for most of his childhood until his family moved to Arizona. He graduated from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, AZ.
Following high school, Nick held several different jobs and learned a lot of trades. He moved to Post Falls, ID and went to work at Franz Bakery in Spokane. Later he obtained a job at Kaiser Aluminum and moved to Spokane spending several years there. He also spent time painting and remodeling apartment complexes for Fanny Mae. In 2017 Nick moved back to Arizona where he established Living Water Enterprises LLC. His business started out as a commercial cleaning company, but ended in painting, remodeling, and construction. He loved contracting work and was extremely talented; however his health failed with a cancer diagnoses and he had to quit working.
Nick was an avid outdoorsman, and found nature was heaven on earth. His most favorite place on earth were the mountains, and he enjoyed fishing, hunting, scouting and gathering firewood, camping, riding 4 wheelers, sleeping on the bare ground watching the night sky, and picking huckleberries successfully picking the largest ones. Most importantly, he believed in humanity and grace always lending a helping hand to those in need, donating time and any resources he had. His family was his priority, and he loved being with them. Nick’s faith was strong, and in his younger years he was a faithful attendant of the St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in St. Maries. Along the road of life, he hit some bumps as we all do, but he relied on his faith and spreading the word of the bible to help him through those times.
Nick is survived by his mother and stepfather Denise and Tom Sochinsky of Santa, ID; father Gary Willard of Spokane, WA; grandmother Anna Sines of St. Maries, ID; siblings Mark (Mary) Willard of Columbus, OH, Matt Willard of Fairfield, WA, Mara Willard of Santa, ID, Thomas Sochinsky of Santa, ID, and Brandon (Jessica) Sochinsky of Santa, ID; son near and dear to his heart Bradley Mayton of Fernwood, ID; 4 nieces and 2 nephews; numerous aunts and uncles. He is preceded in death by his grandfather Eugene Sines, grandparents Gordon and Corrine Willard, and uncle Dale Sines
A viewing will be on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 3 pm – 5 pm at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday January 10, 2025 at 1:00 pm at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in St. Maries. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with a gathering of family and friends to share a meal following all services at the Benedictine Hall in St. Maries.
