Willis, Willie Thomas
   	
Services for Willie Thomas Willis will be noon Saturday, November 
25, 2006, at St. Mark C.M.E. Church. Burial will follow in Jordan 
Valley Memorial park under the direction of Stanmore Funeral Home. 
Visitation will be 6-7 p.m. today, November 24, 2006, at the funeral 
home. He was born in Gregg County, Pleasant Hill community, to Major 
Tom and Lillie Willis. He went to his heavenly home November 2, 2006. 
W.T. matriculated in public school in Marshall, Texas, and graduated 
from Anderson High School in Marshall. He then attended Prairie View 
A&M College in Prairie View, Texas, and received his bachelor of 
science degree. He was drafted during World War II and served four 
years. He then returned home and received his master of education 
degree from Bishop College in Marshall. W.T. was a 32nd degree Mason 
and participated for many years. He was a member of Pleasant Hill 
C.M.E. Church from an early age. He was a member of the usher board 
and a steward of the church. He married Sidney Bell April 14, 1961, 
and then joined St. Mark C.M.E. Church, where he remained faithful 
until he was called home. W.T. and Sidney were blessed with two sons, 
W.T. Jr. and Byron Todd Willis; six grandchildren, Ashley, Alexis, 
D'Yonte, Chaunc'ce, Jordin and Carson Willis; and two great-grandchildren, 
Heaven and Nevaeh Willis. There were nine children in his family, 
Minnie (and Jody), Myrtle, Zerinda, Brady (and Fannie), Lula (and 
Tenola), and John (and Louise) who preceded him in death. Leaving to 
mourn, Lillie D. (and R.E.) and Vivian. His immediate family, who will 
celebrate and cherish his life, are Sandria Bell Toliver (and Clayton) 
and Audrey Bell Carter (and Aubrey); many nieces and nephews; Ashley and 
Alexis' mother, Carla Curry Willis; and two special daughters-in-law, 
Reshia Willis (and W.T.) and Erica Willis (and Todd).

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 11/24/2006.

----------------------

Willis, Willie Thomas   
	
Services for Willie Thomas Willis will be noon Saturday, November 25, 
2006, at St. Mark C.M.E. Church. Burial will follow in Jordan Valley 
Memorial Park, under the direction of Stanmore Funeral Home of Longview. 
Willie Thomas Willis was born in the Pleasant Hill Community of Gregg 
County, to Major Tom and Lillie Willis. He went to his heavenly home on 
November 21, 2006. W.T. matriculated in public school in Marshall, Texas, 
and graduated from Anderson High School in Marshall, Texas. He then 
attended Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas, and received 
his bachelor of science degree. W.T. was drafted during World War II and 
served four years. He then returned home and received his master of 
education degree from Bishop College in Marshall. W.T. was a 32nd degree 
Mason and participated for many years. He was a member of Pleasant Hill 
C.M.E. Church from an early age. He was a member of the usher board and 
a steward of the church. He married Sidney Bell on April 14, 1961, and 
then joined St. Mark C.M.E. Church, where he remained faithful until he 
was called home. W.T. and Sidney were blessed with two sons, W.T. Jr. and 
Byron Todd Willis; six grandchildren, Ashley, Alexis, D'Yonte, Chaunc'ce, 
Jordin, and Carson Willis; and two great-grandchildren, Heaven and Nevaeh 
Willis. There were nine children in his family, Minnie and Jodie, Myrtle, 
Zerinda, Brady and Fannie, Lula and Tenola, and John and Louise, who 
preceded him in death. Left to mourn are Lillie D. and R.E., and Vivian. 
His immediate family, who will celebrate and cherish his life, are Sandria 
Bell Tolliver and Clayton, and Audrey Bell Carter and Aubrey; many nieces 
and nephews; Ashley and Alexis' mother, Carla Curry Willis; and two special 
daughters-in-law, Reshia Willis and W.T., and Erica Willis and Todd. 
Visitation was from 6-7 p.m. Friday evening, November 24, 2006, at the 
funeral home.

Published in the Longview News-Journal from 11/24/2006 - 11/25/2006.