He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1984 to 1994 for the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, and Seattle Mariners.

He was one of five Phillies along with Manny Trillo, George Vukovich, Julio Franco and Jay Baller who were traded to the Cleveland Indians for Von Hayes at the Winter Meetings on December 9, 1982.

Facing top reliever Steve Bedrosian with one out, Willard lofted a high fly out to right fielder Shane Mack that proved to be deep enough to score Lemke with the winning run.

[3] Willard's catching career came to an abrupt end on May 10, 1994, when a foul tip off the bat of Julio Franco struck his right shoulder, causing a fracture and damaged cartilage.

Today, the piece of padding attached to a catcher's chest protector for extra coverage of his throwing-side's shoulder is called a 'Willard' due to this incident.