Ruth passed away this past April 2014 at the age of 102 years old.  She lived out her last 6 years with her daughter Cindy Willard Zapotocky in Spokane, WA.  She was buried with her husband Frank Willard at the Shelton Memorial Cemetery Veterans area because Frank was a captain in WWII.  They are buried with a child that was born dead during WWII. 

Ruth treasured her years at Irene S. Reed/Shelton High School and fondly remembered teaching all the 10th grade girls physical education.  She was the only SHS coach to win district championship 1968 girls tennis.  She was a college athlete at WSU.