James “Jim” Martin Willis, Sr., 66, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2019.
He was born on January 31, 1953 in Parsons to Joe Reed and Betty Louise (Bennett) Willis.
On August 21, 1976, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Linnebur in Parsons, KS.
He served as a United States Navy Airman from 1972-1976. He was stationed on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 in Roda, Spain during the Vietnam War. He worked as a brakeman for the Katy Railroad for 14 years and then as a welder with CST for more than 20 years.
Jim was never one to want to work indoors. He was known to be an avid outdoorsman who loved camping and hunting, but most of all he loved fishing. There were only three things he loved more than fishing: his wife, his children and his grandchildren. Jim never missed his grandchildren’s birthday parties or grandparent day events. Jim was an excellent dad but an even better “Papa Willis.” He loved when his children and grandchildren were under the same roof. He was a friend to everyone he met and loved playing games. His favorite game to play at family gatherings was dominoes.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary, three daughters, Melissa Carson and her husband, Nathan of Joplin, MO, Amy Powell and her husband Jamie of West Melbourne, FL, and Meagan Swafford and her husband James of Pittsburg, KS; and one son, James Willis Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA; and six grandchildren.
Jim was one of seven children; Steve Willis and his wife Ginger of Parsons, KS, Marcia Ellis of Parsons, KS, Celiece Dhooghe and her husband Ed of Parsons, KS, Tina Arb and her husband Rocky of Altamont, KS, Diane Johnson of Webb City, MO, and Lynn Myers and her husband Brad of Altamont, KS; a father in law, Al Linnebur of Parsons, KS and several brothers in law and sisters in law, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother in law, Nancy Linnebur.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 9, 2019 at Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons with his cousin Rev. Stuart Willis officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Lawn Cemetery with military honors given by Brown-Bishop Post No 704 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to the Parsons Middle School Fishing Club. Checks must be made out to the Parsons Middle School. These may be left at or mailed to the Carson Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942 in Parsons, KS 67357. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.wallfuneralservices.com
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