Athletic Accomplishments
Eldrid “Bus” Willyard was born December 9, 1902, raised in southern Ravenna Township. He was a natural athlete whose skills were evident while in his teens. At that time George “Babe” Ruth had just burst on the scene and the local youth began calling Eldrid, “Babe”. His mother said no one was going to call him Babe and suggested Buster. The name stuck and he became known as “Bus”. Football was his favorite sport, and he was also a standout basketball player at the Ravenna Township School. He graduated in 1920 and was followed by his future wife, Ortha Ott who graduated the following year. He attended Akron University and participated in both football and basketball. He gained the reputation of being the most formidable tackler on the Akron University football squad. Bus was a standout at basketball and was selected All-Ohio Conference all -star squad. He led the team to a winning record for three years. He attended John Marshall Law School for one year.
While living in Cleveland, he coached football at Glenville High School. Throughout his life he continued to participate in sports. Bus supported athletics in Ravenna, at Akron University and Kent State University. He was noted for not missing a RHS football game. His service to the Ravenna schools went beyond athletics. He served for 15 ½ years on the Ravenna Board of Education including during the consolidation of city and township systems. Willyard Elementary was named in his honor. He was also very involved in Ravenna professional and civic activities throughout his life. Bus owned Ravenna Lumber and Coal Company for many years. During rough times he was known for spreading coal on the railroad tracks so that people who could not afford coal could collect it and not be beholden to anyone. He was a member of the Ravenna Savings and Loan Board of Directors. Its history is now part of Huntington Bank. He is also a member of the Akron University Sports Hall of Fame and the inaugural class of the Portage County Sports Hall of Fame.