Richard Wills’s body was found on Tuesday after he went missing on Easter Sunday. (Supplied)

In short:

The wife of a 65-year-old man found dead at his farm in north-west Victoria is in shock and says he will be missed by his grandchildren.

Police have appealed for information about the death of Ouyen man Richard Wills.

Mr Wills’s body was found in a shallow grave on his rural property earlier this week.

The wife of a man whose body was found buried at his farm in north-west Victoria earlier this week remains in disbelief, questioning why someone would target him.

Police have issued a plea for information about the fatal shooting of Ouyen man Richard Wills, 65, whose body was found in a shallow grave on Tuesday.

Donna Wills described her husband of 32 years as a “kind-hearted” man and a “workaholic”.

“If he saw someone stopped on the side of the road he’d be the one who would turn around, go back, and make sure they were alright,” she said.

“He was one to help anyone … would give them anything.

“Why would they want to do it to him?”

Donna Wills last saw her husband on Sunday before reporting him missing the next morning. (Supplied)

The pair shared five children and had always lived in the small town south of Mildura.

“[We have] lots of grandkids that are going to miss him,” Ms Wills said.

Mr Wills kissed his wife goodbye before leaving his home in Hughes Street, Ouyen about 8am on Sunday, April 5.

Police have been told he went to work on his 1,600 acre rural property on the Mallee Highway as normal.

After he failed to return home for lunch, family members searched the property for him. He was reported missing the following day.

“I thought it was odd that he didn’t have his phone with him,” Ms Wills said.

“And then the next morning when he hadn’t come home, I was really concerned.”

His body was found in a shallow grave on the property at about 1:30pm on Tuesday.

Police say Mr Wills had been ‘dragged by a vehicle’

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Trewavas from the Missing Persons Squad said Mr Wills had been fatally shot and buried, with evidence pointing to him being dragged behind a vehicle on the farm.

“This is a vicious killing and it’s not lost on the police that a man who went to work on Easter Sunday, one of the holiest days in his calendar, has not come home,”

he said.

“I can say that we suspect that a person who knows Rick is responsible for this crime.”

A ute and a phone belonging to Mr Wills were found at the property, and officers from the Victoria Police forensic team searched the scene.

The farm has multiple entrances, contains sheep and a piggery, and is also used for share cropping.

The body of Richard Wills was found in a shallow grave at his rural property. (Supplied: Victoria Police)

Seargent Trewavas said Mr Wills’s death was a mystery and the dusty area complicated the gathering of evidence.

“Sadly, Richard has clearly met with foul play. What is still unclear is exactly who was involved and why,” he said.

“We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have any knowledge of the circumstances which led to his death and who was responsible.

“We’re hoping that this appeal leads to someone coming forward and doing the right thing — it can be done anonymously — so that we can hold those responsible to account.”

Anyone who saw Mr Wills on April 5 or has information about his death has been urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.