Joe P. Willis

Joseph Pyron Willis, 79 of Lampasas, TX passed away into the arms of the Lord early Friday morning, March 29, 2019.   Joe was born September 5, 1939, in Odessa, TX to parents John Jerome Willis and Mary Adele (Hunter) Willis.  He grew up in Odessa, and learned a strong work ethic from a very early age. He was involved in the ranching chores, raised cattle for stock shows, participating in boy scouts, and FFA. He often told the story of traveling by train to California to attend the Boy Scout Jamboree. In 1952, Joe’s Hereford steer “Jerry” won the Grand Champion at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show; his prize money was used to feed the herd at the ranch during the drought that year.   After marrying, Joe moved to Beaumont, TX to work in the family’s business, J.J. Willis Trucking Company.  Within a few years, he relocated to Dallas, where he continued his career in transportation.  Finally, after retirement, Joe moved to Lampasas to be near family and live on “the Farm.”   Joe was so many things to so many people – little brother as the youngest of eight, father of daughters, Popo to his grandchildren, favorite Uncle to many, friend who loved to go dancing or play a little rummy or Wahoo, a great story and joke teller, and a generous man who fully supported the causes that spoke to his heart.   He loved to work hard and work with his hands. When he wasn’t outside working on “the Farm,” shredding the fields, hoeing cactus, feeding the steers, or creating barbed-wire art, you might find him relaxing in his chair watching golf or Little League baseball – especially the Little League World Series – or even a little rodeo on the newly discovered Rodeo channel on TV.   But the most important thing to Joe was family.  He was the family touchstone.  He was so proud of the family reunions that he hosted over the years.  Everyone in the family knew they could call Joe for counsel and advice at any time.   He is survived by his daughters, Jodi Willis Hopkins and Vonda Willis Buzanski (Gary), brother Fred Willis (Wanda), sister Sara Herrington (Russ), sisters-in-law Jane Willis and Ann Willis, grandchildren Kyle and Andrea Hopkins, and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.    Joe was preceded in death by his parents, by siblings Jerome Willis Jr., Mary Rhoads, Hardy Willis, Palmer Willis, and Becky Hardin, and by his son-in-law, Mark Hopkins.   He was an incredible man and we will miss him so much until we see him again.   A visitation will be held at Sneed Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 5:00pm-7:00pm.   The funeral service will be Thursday, April 4, 2019, at 2:00pm at Sneed Funeral Chapel, Lampasas, TX, with the burial service following on Friday, April 5, 2019, at 2:00pm at the Ector County Cemetery, Odessa, TX.   In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in his memory to one of his favorite organizations, ROCK – Ride on Center for Kids (rockride.org), or the charity of your choice.