Hattie Willis

Hattie “Estell” Acuff Willis went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Visitation: 5-7PM Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Lake Shore Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 10AM Friday, November 7, 2025 at Lake Shore Funeral Home.

Estell was raised in Thornton, Texas. She married the love of her life, James L.E. “Bob” Willis of Mexia, and faithfully traveled alongside him during his Air Force service for 20 of their 51 years of marriage.

Estell loved the Lord wholeheartedly, and she dearly loved her family and friends. She earned her Registered Nursing degree and served Connally ISD as a school nurse for 20 years until her retirement in 2001. Following retirement, she continued caring for students and communities through the Regional School Support COOP as a school nurse serving Cranfills Gap, Iredell, Oglesby, Star, Westphalia, Coolidge, Hapsburg, Penelope, and Malone.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James L.E. “Bob” Willis (November 2003) and her son-in-law, Danny Eason (June 2025).

She is survived by her sister, Peggy Nichols of Tyler, TX; daughters Kathy Willis of Lone Wolf, OK, Sherry Smith and husband Joe of Eddy, TX, and Lisa Eason of Edgewood, TX; son Michael Willis and wife Valerie of West, TX; ten grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Joshua Smith, Jacob Smith, John Smith, Brant Willis, Ryon Willis, and Tyler Goode.

Honorary Pallbearers: Ronnie Roberts, David Stewart, Don Nichols, and Glenn Tyus Jr.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:4 (ESV)