Maybe there's an App out there that will let me customize this way, but have not tried that path yet since there are so many to search thru. Any advice/thoughts on my goal would be appreciated!
Found one - "Speed Dial", found by accident just now. It creates 1x1 widgets that you can edit the displayed name as you wish, without actually editing the contact name itself.
Neat program - after downloading, long-press on any home screen, then Shortcut > Speed Dial. Choose between:
1) dial immediately
2) place number in dialer
3) send sms/mms, or
4) send email
Then select the contact you want, though no search function for contact name (that I can find), so have to scroll thru list to select. Then you edit the name to display on the widget, and you're done - the widget is now onscreen.
Note - you can't edit the display name once it's there, so you'd have to delete it and create a new one from scratch. I also don't see where you can use a picture as the widget - only the standard one.
I hope this helps other out here!