Willard L. Kittredge, 82, of Indian Hill Road, died Friday, April 3, 2009 in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, Worcester, after illness.

   He leaves a brother, Robert Kittredge of Florida; many nieces and nephews including Karen A. Peters and her husband Curtis of Shrewsbury, Dale R. Kittredge and his wife Terry of Jefferson, and Paul R. Kittredge and his wife Gloria of Centerville, OH. Two brothers, Richard and Kenneth Kittredge and two sisters, Shirley Dull and Virginia Harris, predeceased him. He was born in Pittsfield, son of Richard and Louise (Leighton) Kittredge and lived in Worcester for 60 years.

   Willard was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II serving aboard the USS Thurston in the European African Middle Eastern and Asiatic Pacific Theatres. He was awarded a medal with four stars and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in June of 1944. He worked 26 years in the Abrasives Grain Dept. at Norton Company, now Saint-Gobain Abrasives in Worcester. He was a member of the Harold N. Keith American Legion Post 204 and the V.F.W. Post 6907, both in West Boylston. He enjoyed watching the Red Sox and playing golf.

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend a calling hour from 12 noon to 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. on Monday , April 6th in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608.