Willard Varnell Oliver

Willard Varnell Oliver (May 2, 1921 – October 14, 2009) was an American veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a member of the Navajo Code Talkers during World War II.

[1] Oliver was part of a unit of Navajos who worked to confuse Japanese forces in the Pacific during World War II through the transmission of messages in the Navajo language.

[1] His younger brother, Lloyd Oliver, was also a member of the Navajo Code Talkers.

[3] Willard Oliver died on October 14, 2009, at the Northern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, at the age of 88.

[1] His funeral was held on October 17, 2009, in his hometown of Lukachukai, Arizona.