Mrs. Carolyn Willis

Carolyn Willis, 67, was born in Dallas October 23, 1946 to Dena and Ed Way. She transferred her membership to the church universal on August 11, 2014 in Houston, after a long illness. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Bill Willis and their son Dr. Josh Willis and wife Dr. Dixie Aragaki; by her sister Connie Humphries and husband Bob Humphries; by Bill’s sister and brother-in-law Lyn and Art Gentry, and their children – nephew Michael Gentry and wife Ramee, niece Rev. Lara McGregor and husband Kirk, and niece Dr. Amy Gentry and husband Curtis Luciana; and by countless friends. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, brother Elliot, and step-father Ray Coleman. Carolyn grew up in Dallas, was a popular leader and honor student, graduating from Adamson HS. After a year at NTSU, she transferred to Stephen F. Austin, where she was a teaching assistant and lab instructor, and graduated with a degree in chemistry and biology. She and Bill were married in 1968 and moved to Austin where she began a long teaching career as a science teacher at Elgin HS. She was honored there as District Teacher of the Year. The couple moved to Dallas, where son Josh was born in 1974. She was a super Mom, instilling in Joshua a love of science and the determination and imagination required of a PhD and research scientist. Carolyn accomplished many things in her life. A life-long Presbyterian, she loved the Lord, and was an active leader, teacher, choir member, guitar player and song writer, Elder, youth director, pastor’s wife, and in the last decade of her life a full-time volunteer Director of Christian Education. She wrote curriculum and taught computer software, was treasurer of a major non-profit organization, was Chief Financial Officer of a manufacturing company, and ran that company during a protracted absence of the owner. She organized a ministry to Southeast-Asian refugees, which grew into a volunteer social services agency for which she secured a one-year federal grant and then made it last for 3 years. But above all, her life’s accomplishments centered around her personality and character. To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her. She was full of joy and a huge zest for living. She had great compassion and patience and imagination. She loved generously and deeply – family, students, friends, church members, down-and-outers, and most especially children. From toddlers to teenagers, she loved and respected and understood them all. They returned that great love and followed her like a Pied Piper. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and she will be greatly missed. The blessings and influence of knowing her will live long in the hearts of many, and the blessings and influence of her life will be long remembered.

Mrs. Carolyn Willis

October 23, 1946 - August 11, 2014