Sam L. Willis

Sam L. Willis, 80, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 1, 2008. He died peacefully with his family at his side at Hospice HomePlace. Services were held Feb. 4 at Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church in Tyler, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. and a memorial service at 2 p.m. Burial was at Tyler Memorial Cemetery.

Services were conducted by Revs. James McMillan and Dr. Pat Sparks under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

The son of Victor Nea and Rita Thompson Willis, Sam was born in Shreveport, La., on April 26, 1927. He graduated from Daingerfield High School where he was quarterback for the Daingerfield Tigers. He also attended Kilgore College and the University of Houston. Sam served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War, and was then employed by Schlumberger Oilfield Services for 27 years. He was a member of Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church.

Sam is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris Clark Willis; one son, Lamar Willis and his wife Cindy of Tyler; and two daughters, Melodie Willis of Tyler, and Melinda Love and her husband Chris of Troup. He is also survived by two sisters, Rita Thomas of Longview, and Olga Nell Miller of Shreveport, La. He will be remembered by his seven grandchildren (and numerous other "adopted" grandchildren) as their beloved Pepa who was a teacher, counselor, disciplinarian and comedian to each of them. They include Amy Wanke of Austin, Doug Willis of Tyler, PV2 Joe Wright currently stationed in Korea and wife Randi of Overton, Erin Cureton of Tyler, Breann Willis of Waco, Jacob Wright and fiancée, Nicole Davenport of Troup, and Kariann Wright of Troup. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren served as pallbearers.