Wanda LaRue Willis

Wanda Larue Shive Willis passed away peacefully at her home in Lampasas, TX on April 23, 2020 after a brief illness. She was 86. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and a genuine friend to all. She lived her entire life as a proud Texan and will be missed dearly. She possessed a quick wit and brightened the lives of everyone she met throughout her life. She loved a good practical joke and was on both ends of many. She was a straight shooter and told it like it was, but always in a loving way. Wanda was born on January 25, 1934 in Big Spring, TX to Archie DeWitt and Almeda Frances Shive. She grew up in the small West Texas town of Coahoma in Howard County where her family farmed dryland cotton. DeWitt eventually became the owner of the local cotton gin which was one of the focal points of the community. Wanda experienced a loving childhood and made many lifelong friends from that close-knit community that played a key role in shaping who she was. She was very close to her brother, James Wendell Shive, who lived his entire life in Coahoma, and his wife Helen and daughters Suzanne and Louise. Wanda met her husband, Fred Willis, from Odessa, TX in the early 1950’s and they were married on February 14, 1959 in Coahoma. They were married for 61 years. They first resided in Odessa and were blessed with two children, Keri Larue Willis born in 1960, and Ron DeWitt Willis born in 1961. After the Willis family trucking business was sold, Fred and Wanda moved the family to Lampasas in 1972 where Fred became a cattle rancher and real estate broker. Wanda built many lifelong friendships in Lampasas that remained throughout her life and theirs. Wanda played an active role in Keri and Ron’s lives supporting their school activities and contributing to their successes showing cattle locally and throughout Texas at the major livestock shows. After Keri and Ron moved on with their lives, Wanda worked side by side with Fred while he remained active in the cattle business for many years. One of the brightest points in Wanda’s life was becoming a grandmother in 1993 to Cole Christopher Wimer and Megan Leigh Wimer, born in 1996. Pictures of Cole and Megan decorate the house that capture the stages of their lives. She relished their visits to Lampasas and exhibited great pride in watching them develop into successful adults. Wanda is survived by her husband, Fred Willis of Lampasas. Her daughter, Keri Willis Borg or Arden, NC and son Ron Willis of Dallas, TX. Her grandchildren Cole Wimer of Oklahoma City, OK and Megan Wimer of Charlotte, NC. She is survived by many nieces and nephews including Suzanne Shive of San Antonio, TX and Louise Haigler of Austin, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, DeWitt and Almeda Shive of Coahoma, TX. Her brother Wendell Shive and sister-in-law Helen Shive of Coahoma, TX. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Wanda’s caregivers Carmen, Natalie, Diane, Ashley and Tammie. A special thanks goes to Carmen who provided great comfort to Wanda and will never be forgotten for her love and kindness. The family would appreciate any donations be made in Wanda’s name to either the First Presbyterian Church of Lampasas or the ROCK Ride On Center for Kids at https:/rockride.org.