The Kelso couple, both aged 73, lost their lives in a shocking accident on the Great Western Highway at Glanmire on Saturday afternoon. Mrs Willard’s 95-year-old mother Elsie Dickenson was also killed in the collision.

The Willards were returning home after a much anticipated rail holiday on the Ghan. 

A 33-year-old Orange man, Trent Morgan, also lost his life. His brother Steven, 38, is in an induced coma in Westmead Hospital.

The rector of St Barnabas Anglican Church, Fr James Hodson, said Jan and John Willard had both worked tirelessly for St Barnabas and the wider community.

“We are in a state of disbelief,” he said. “Their deaths has left a gaping hole in our lives.”

Mrs Willard will be fondly remembered for her role as church organist for the past 30 years.

Fr Hodson said she had not missed a service in the three years he had been rector at St Barnabas’. 

He said every member of the congregation keenly felt her loss on Sunday as they looked at the silent organ. 

In addition Mrs Willard also carried out all the church banking and made herself available for anything that needed doing, or anyone who needed help. 

She was also involved with the Mother’s Union (MU) which raises money for those in need.

Fr Hodson said Mr Willard was a quiet and very practical man who gave a lot of his time to help out with the grounds, and at church fetes and special events.

“They have a great history of being involved in charitable works,” Fr Hodson said.

The rector said Mrs Willard had been very much looking forward to their trip on the iconic train because it was something she had always wanted to do but never had the chance. 

Her mother had only recently moved from Sydney to live with them.

Deputy mayor Ian North worked with John Willard at Telecom and then Telstra. 

“He was a great fellow. I worked with him for many years,” Cr North said yesterday.

“He was one of those true gentlemen – well-respected and well-liked.

“He was very good with people, always helping the younger ones. Nothing was too difficult or too much trouble.”

Cr North said Mr Willard was one of those people no-one ever had a bad word for, and if anyone needed help, he was always the first to put out his hand. 

“He will be very sorely missed by the community – this is a big loss,” he said.

“This town has lost too many good people of late,” Cr North said.

Donna Kinsela sat alongside Mr Willard at Telstra prior to his retirement.

“He was just a wonderful, kind, loving man. A true character who always had time to help his peers,” she said.

“He made me laugh, he taught me lots, and he always did it with a smile.

“He was irreplaceable.”

Mrs Willard was the treasurer of the Bathurst City Women’s Bowling Club at the time of her death. Over the years she performed many roles, including 20 years as secretary of the Bathurst City Bowling Club. 

Club president Jean Wild said she will miss her very, very much.

“I am finding this very hard to come to terms with,” she said.

“We are all devastated. She was a lovely, wonderful woman. Her husband too was a very gentle, very nice person – they both were.” 

Marcia Bonham also knew Mrs Willard through bowls. 

“She was the most loved person in the club,” she said. “She was really unselfish and threw herself into everything. I never heard her say an angry word to anyone.

“Her husband was also a lovely, reliable, unselfish man. Their death has rocked us all.”

Funeral details have not yet been released.