John Lee Willis
July 22, 1963 ~ November 16, 2014
John Lee Willis was born July 22, 1963, to John Herren and Wynnell Redfearn Whitecotton and later adopted by Ronald Kenneth Willis. He went home to be with his Lord on November 16, 2014. John attended fourteen schools in three states before graduating from Hughes Springs High School in 1981. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed aboard a submarine tender, the USS Hunley, in Holy Loch, Scotland, and an aircraft carrier, the USS Saratoga out of Mayport, FL. After active duty, John attended college at The University of Texas at Arlington and worked as an air conditioner service technician until he and Sandra married the Saturday after Thanksgiving on November 26, 1988. John and Sandra moved to College Station where he enrolled in Texas A&M University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology in May 1992. After graduating from Texas A&M, John worked in various aspects of the power industry at Bath Electrical Systems in Houston, fleet management and engineering at Lone Star Steel, and plant engineering, electrical maintenance and asset management at Luminant Power. He has been very active in his church, First United Methodist Church in Hughes Springs, for the last 17 years where he served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Board of Trustees and youth leader. He also served on the Hughes Springs ISD School Board for the last 14 years and was the current president. John enjoyed home improvement projects and outdoor activities, such as hunting and fishing. John was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, Alvis and Tessie Redfearn, John L. and Rosalie Herren Whitecotton, Grover Kenneth and Kate Ellis Willis, and uncles, Alvis Redfern, Jr. and Thomas Redfearn. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Willis; daughter, Nicole Willis; son, John K. Willis; 4 brothers and sisters-in-law, Alan and Dawnett Willis of Marshalltown, IA, Tim and Mandi Whitecotton of Abilene, TX, Tommy and Carrie Whitecotton of Baird, TX, Calvin and Ydaner Taylor of Athens, TX; 4 sisters and brothers-in-law, Rhonda and Greg Skiles of Athens, TX, Carolyne and Doug Norman of Boyd, TX, Jannell and Tracy Dunnington of Athens, TX, and Holly Whitecotton of Azle, TX; parents-in-law, Mike and Kaye Jenkins of Hughes Springs and Ann and Gary Evers of Royse City, TX; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Llaura Jenkins of Hughes Springs and Clark and Krystyl Turner of Dallas, TX; stepbrother, Shane Taylor; stepsister, Shanna Taylor; aunts and uncle, Martha Whitecotton and Danny Davis of Nash, TX, Annette Redfern of Athens, TX, and Julian and Charissa Redfearn of Longview, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers, life-long and special friends. Services are planned for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Hughes Springs. Burial to follow at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home. Visitation at the church from 6:00-8:00 on Tuesday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hughes Springs ISD, or Texas Oncology Foundation at 1221 Merit Dr., Dallas, TX 75251.
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John has a place in my heart very near our daughters, Lisa Brown and Ann-Marie Murrell. A kind, hardworking and Christian man has taught all of us how to fight the good fight. Now he can rest and all who knew him know that he is near the God he loved, and taught many others to love also. By his fruits, we have known him.
I really enjoyed getting to know John. A good person and a wonderful influence on my son, Clark. Rest in Peace, John.Tommy Turner
Our Deepest Sympathy to John's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sandra, Nicole & Lil' John,Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you over the loss of your sweet husband and father. My prayer is that you will find peace in the days to come. I know for a fact that we will all see him again one day. Love to you all!
We are So are so very sorry please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so very sorry to learn of John's passing. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
John's grandmother Tessie had a favorite passage that reads " … I go to prepare a place for you .. And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself… ( John 14: 2-3)
My heart breaks for the pain each of you must feel in this loss. Please know many community members love you. Allow us to help, and always feel free to lean on ME! I will continue to lift you up in prayer and rejoice in John's complete healing as he joins other family members in a HUGE homecoming celebration!!!
Our sincerest sympathy to your entire family, as we only knew John as Jannell's oldest brother, but we know he meant the world to her and made an impact on many lives. We had been praying for John's healing, yet God answered it in His own way with John's health truly restored. Now we pray He will carry each of you through the days ahead, providing comfort and peace as only He can.
So sad to learn of John's passing. Greatly enjoyed our time together in the Plant Engineering department at Lone Star Steel. My condolences to his family.
Rest in peace John.
John' BirthYesterday my sister Annette and I were remembering the day John Lee was born. We had just returned from Dallas where we had picked up Annette's new car when we learned he had been born. Annette took his dad Johnny and me to the Hill Billy Cafe for a meal where Johnny dined on a chicken fried steak. My mother ( John' grandmother ) was so worried she would hurt him that she carried him on a towel since he only weighed two and a half pounds. It was so amazing to see my dad ( John's grandfather) dance holding John close to his chest. He was so proud of that grandson.
So sorry to hear this. He was always so nice to me at the plant when I worked in his office.We had many long talks in the evening.Then when he left,he always talked to me when we met up out in public. The town has lost a great man. Fly high John. God bless his sweet family and give them comfort during this time of sorrow.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We are so very sorry for your loss. May God bless you and watch over you.
May God comfort you in this time of loss; keeping you close in my prayers.
Love $ Light
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. John was such an outstanding student in school and man in his later years. He served his Church and his Community. May our heavenly Father enfold you in His loving arms and comfort you as only He can in the days ahead. Sincerely, Carol Griffis
It was my pleasure to work with John at Monticello he was a great guy. your family is in our thoughts and prayers he will be sorely missed.
I met John and Sandra through my son-in-Law Billy Fickling and have thought the world of both of them ever since. John was such a special, caring and giving man. He is going to be missed by so many. May he rest with the Lord now and in his hands.
So Sorry for your loss, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
It was my pleasure working along side John while Asst. Supt. in Hughes Springs. He always lived by the model of service before self.
John was truly a great guy. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for all of this family.
May your fond memories of John sustain you at this time.God Bless you.Sincerely,Walt & Bunnye Uehlinger
Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Your family is in our prayer.
I was sad to hear of John's passing. I was a classmate of John's. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Tammy Edwards
Prayers for your entire family and many friends
Sandra and familyMay God be with you during this time of sorrow. My prayers are with you and your family. JoanLewis Chiropractic Clinic
I was just thinking of John we were roommates at UT Arlington. Hunted together; became good friends. I called and then searched to find this news. My condolences to Sandra and his children; John was a good friend and one of the most genuine people I have ever met. Always a part of my memory. Love Szabo