Linda Cathryn (Bussey) Willard of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully following a short illness, on December 12, 2014. She was born December 10, 1944 in Dayton, OH, eldest child of Lynn Bussey and the late Virginia Cox Bussey, and first grandchild of Lester E. and Mildred Cox. Her family returned to Springfield following WWII, where she grew up. Graduated Parkview HS 1962, Linda attended Christian College in Columbia from 1962-1964, receiving an Associates degree. At Springfield's Drury College, she received her Home Economics degree, teaching for two years in the St. Louis high school system. She then attended the University of Arkansas, earning a Nursing degree and practiced in Little Rock hospital's pediatric ward. Linda married Dr. E. Payson Willard III in 1976, moving to Dallas, TX for several years where their daughter Cathryn Lynne was born, and returned with her family to Springfield in 1995. Linda was active in chapter IS of P.E.O., Christ Episcopal Church's St. Mary's Church Guild, and Parkview HS Class of 1962 Alumni Committee. She regularly attended Texas Family & Consumer Sciences state meetings, and Madame Alexander Doll and United Federation of Doll Club conventions where she frequently presented seminars on doll collecting. She was a long time member of Tri Delta Sorority. Linda had a heart of gold, and was famous for and always will be remembered for her random acts of kindness. She is survived by her husband Payson, daughter Cathryn Lynne, both of Springfield, brother Lewis Bussey (Linda Surbaugh) of Denver, CO, aunt Frances (Willard) Nevin and nephew Daniel of Plano, TX, first cousins Lester Barrett Cox of Aspen, CO, Cindy Lipscomb Bayer (Gary) of California and Larry Lipscomb (Tracy) of Springfield, aunt Cathryn Cox Lipscomb (Jack) of Springfield, nephew Colin Bussey of Denver, CO, and niece Nancy Nevin of Las Vegas, NV. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday December 17, at Christ Episcopal Church, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, with Reverend Jonathan Frazier presiding. Reception for all follows immediately in the Parish Hall. Burial (cremation) will be in Hazelwood Cemetery. We would like to thank her wonderful support system including all her friends and caregivers. In lieu of flowers, Linda's family would appreciate memorial contributions may made to Ozarks PBS, The Susan B. Komen Foundation or the Linda Bussey Willard Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o Cox Health Foundation, 3525 S. National, S-204, Springfield, MO 65807.