Billy Willis

Funeral service for Billy Willis, 87, of Nacogdoches, will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Christ Episcopal Church with Father Gary Hill officiating. Following the service, friends may join the family in the Parish Hall for fellowship.  Billy will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park.

We were never meant to do life alone.  We need the love and care of others, as much as we are needed by others in the same ways.  Billy lived this.  He loved Jesus Christ with his whole heart, and because of this love, he passed it on to everyone he met.  Billy was not only a believer, he faithfully executed the words from John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.”.  He took great pride in seeing others smile and be happy. 

Billy retired from Zimmer Orthopedics after working in sales for many years.  He also worked for Abbott Labs as well as teaching school for a few years in Port Arthur.  Billy married Patricia Hampton in 1962 and together, they were happy with the arrival of their son, William Hampton Willis.  Sadly, in 1988, Billy had to say goodbye to Patricia.  He continued being the great father to his son that he was so incredibly proud of.  In the early 90’s Billy reconnected with a childhood sweetheart and friend, Carol.  This cultivated into a blissful relationship and they were married in 1995. The years from then on were filled with time spent with family, friends, travel, worship, musical interests and splendid moments on Lake Murvaul.  He was fun and never was there a dull moment when he was around.  Billy had many talents.  After retirement, he was able to cultivate these talents into something that made others happy.  Billy was an artist with wood, could fix anything and spent many hours making effective jigs for his favorite sport…fishing.  He also gave them away to his favorite people.  He was never idle.  He fished, grew beautiful plants and shared them with others, enjoyed cooking for family and friends.  He often took things of no value and turned them into something useful.  And if you paused for even a second, Billy was going to get to know you.  He truly never met a stranger nor forgot anyone he met.  His two questions for every person he came across was “Where you from?” and “Do you like to fish”.

Billy is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carol Willis of Nacogdoches; son, Bill Willis and wife, Alexia of Houston; bonus children, Richard Wrench and wife, Lisa of Cypress, Reagan Wrench and wife, Quinn of Wharton and Randy Wrench and wife, Lockett of Houston; grandchildren, Kerry Wrench, Laura Wrench, Dylan Wrench and Becca Wrench; brother in law, Sturdy Wanamaker and wife, Tammy of Georgetown; sister-in-law, Nan Edmunson of Kerrville; nephew, Mitch Wanamaker; special niece, Beth Kornegay and husband, Tim; great niece, Jane Kornegay and great nephew, Ted Kornegay.

He is preceded in death by his mom and stepdad, Laverne and Harry Weaver; his first wife, Patricia Hampton Willis and grandparents, Bill and Ruth Lee.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Davis, Sam Frizzell, Mike Keller, Robert Mann, Gary Morse, Roland Muckleroy, David Norton, Bill Patton , Graham Pearson and Harold Whitlock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Billy’s memory to Christ Episcopal Church, Christ Episcopal School, Love, Inc., Nacogdoches Humane Society or a charity of your choice.

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