Johnnie Rudy Willis

WILLIS, JOHNNIE RUDY Johnnie Rudy Willis, 78, of Waco died Friday, September 27, 2002 at a local nursing home. Services will be held at 1:30pm Monday, September 30 Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, 1124 Washington Ave. with Rev. Pamela Dykehouse officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Willis was born January 16, 1924 to John Joseph and Ethel Willis in Tyler. He graduated from Tyler High School in 1940. He went to the Navy in 1943 and was a RDM2. He served in the South Pacific for three years. He then married Henrietta Blaschke on December 2, 1945 in Waco. He was a plumber for many years, then became a plumbing inspector for the City of Waco. He retired in 1986 after 22 years of service. His hobbies were hunting and fishing. Survivors include wife, Henrietta Willis of Waco, sons, Gary Willis and wife, Lesley of Waco, David Willis of Tempe, Arizona, and Randy Willis and wife, Irene of Colleyville, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, sisters, Doris Frizzell of Springfield, Illinois and Odessa Tannery of Tyler, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Carrol Lanier, Jay Kralik, Dewayne Grones, Rick Higgins, Stephen Willis, and Derek Willis. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. John Kosarek, Bud Clendenen, Herbert Blaschke, Lloyd Blaschke, Alfred Blaschke, and Bud Bryant. The family would like to thank the staff and residents of St. Catherine Center, Dr. Kosarek and Hillcrest Hospice. Memorial guestbook at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY