Willard was a Life Member of the East Brunswick Independent Fire Company, which he joined as a high school senior in 1963. He served the fire company for 53 years, including two years as fire chief in 1976-77 and many years as an officer, and as a trustee. He was also instrumental in the formation and evolution of Fire District No. 2, having been elected as one of the original commissioners in 1980 and serving six consecutive terms before retiring from the Board in 2006.