Bill Willis

Bill Willis, age 91 of the Randall Community, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, February 5, 2011. He was born January 10, 1920, in the Woodlawn Community near Rison, a son of the late Andy Willis and Maudie Rodgers Willis. Mr. Willis was a graduate of Woodlawn High School. He served four and a half years in the Army Air Force during World War II. Mr. Willis was stationed in New Guinea, Leyte Island and Australia. He worked for many years at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and Central Maloney, retiring in 1985. Mr. Willis was an active member of the Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as the church clerk, Sunday school superintendant, and adult class teacher. He was also a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Willis was also preceded in death by two brothers, Cullen Willis and Arlee Willis; three sisters, Lois Young, Joanne Goldman and Marie LeBlanc.

Mr. Willis is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Ruby Herring Willis of Randall, whom he married on November 12, 1948; daughter, Deborah Raby and son-in-law James Raby of Pine Bluff; five sisters, Doris Jacks, Betty Willis, and Barbara Willis, all of the Randall Community, Jean Clowers and Pauline Phillips, both of Pine Bluff; one granddaughter, Jamie Leigh Thrower and her husband, Ryan Thrower of Little Rock; two great granddaughters, Caroline Grace Thrower and Leah Bethany Thrower of Little Rock.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with Brother Don Breshears and Brother John Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 7, 2011, at Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Pallbearers are Dana Austin, Billy Browne, Johnny Miller, Matt Teague, Marvin Rauls and Wayne Adcock. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, 3030 Highway 63, Rison, Arkansas 71665 or Hospice Home Care, 3063 West 28th Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870)325-6216.