Barbara Joyce Willis

Barbara Joyce Willis, 86, of Abilene peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on October 22, 2023.

Barbara was born in Abilene, Texas on March 14, 1937, to Audie Jewell and Ila Mae McCollum. She grew up in the Lake Abilene and Rogers areas. Barbara graduated from Lawn High School in 1955 where she excelled in basketball, softball, and theater.  Barbara scored 66 points in one basketball game as a career high. She played the sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, (with a loaded shotgun!) in Annie Get Your Gun. Barbara married Billy Don Willis on August 31, 1956, in Abilene. They had two daughters. Barbara attended business college and worked as a bookkeeper for J. W. Vernon, then as a secretary and bookkeeper for B.D. Click General Contractors. She was an active member of Southwest Park Baptist Church for over fifty years and belonged to the Faithful Workers Sunday School class.

One of Barbara’s favorite activities was watching her children and grandchildren participate in events. She was an avid fan and supporter of every sport, concert, and activity in which they participated. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family.  

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Joe McCollum, and her husband of 54 years, Billy Don Willis.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and David Wise of Abilene, and Sharon and Greg Hill of Oviedo, Florida, three grandsons and their wives, Andrew and Ashlyn Wise, and Will and Taylor Wise, all of Abilene, and Collin and Emily Hill of Orlando, Florida, one granddaughter Haley Hill of Oviedo, Florida, three great-grandchildren all of Abilene, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening, October 27, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2901 South 20^th St., in Abilene, Texas, with Rev. Mike Woodard officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park at 5750 Hwy 277 South. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

The pallbearers will be Andrew Wise, Will Wise, Collin Hill, Haley Hill, Barry McCollum, and Rick Willis.

Memorials may be given to Southwest Park Baptist Church, Hospice of the Big Country, or an organization of your choice. The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing caregivers who so lovingly tended to our mother during her final months. We are forever grateful for the staff of Hendrick Medical Center, Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital, the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Caring Senior Services, Wesley Court, and Hospice of the Big Country.