Dr. George O. Willis 1929-2024

George Oliver Willis was born May 1, 1929 in Quitman as the ninth child of the late Isiah and Mattie Willis. He attended Caney Elementary and graduated from Quitman Colored High School. Upon graduation, he attended Jarvis Christian College, where he received the bachelor of arts degree in English.  

While attending Jarvis, he met and married the love of his life Ada Marie Evans. He furthered his education at the University of Nebraska, University of North Texas and Nova University, where he received his doctor of education.

His life work has taken him from jean belt manufacturer, US postal clerk, teacher and principal for over 40 years in the Dallas Independent School District. He taught English and French at James Madison High School. He was later promoted to principal of several schools, William Brown Miller, W.W. Bushman and Clinton P. Russell Elementary School. This culminated in being named “Principal of the Year.”

Following retirement from Dallas ISD, Dr. Willis continued to make a significant difference in the lives of people as a French professor. He taught French at Bishop College, Collin County Community College and Southwestern Christian College. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to education he was named “Professor of the Year” at Southwestern Christian College and was inducted into the Jarvis Christian College Pioneer Heritage Hall of Fame and named a “Living Legend” in Education in Dallas. He was also inducted into the African American Museum Educators Hall of Fame in Dallas. Throughout the years he has received other numerous awards.  

As a devoted Boy Scout Troop Master for over 40 years, Dr. Willis received the organization’s highest recognition of service award, The Silver Beaver. He was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Dallas School Administrators Association and Who’s Who Among American Educators.

Dr. Willis was a very faithful and devoted church member. He accepted Christ at an early age at the Muddy Creek Baptist Church in Quitman. As an adult he joined Saint Paul A.M.E. Church in Dallas, where he served for over 75 years. Dr. Willis was the president of the Men’s Forward Movement and several initiatives in the church. He served as a steward and trustee and received Steward of the Year and Trustee of the Year and Saint Paul Man of the Year. He was known as “Saint Paul Pillar of Society” recipient. He was always known for supporting the pastors and church to any function that represented Saint Paul.

Dr. Willis was married to his wife Ada for 70 years, and to this union four children were born. They loved spending time on the weekends at the farm in Quitman, raising cows, gardening and enjoying country life. He often spoke of the proudest accomplishments were his four children and all the offsprings from them, being able to experience this country life and staying spiritual.

Dr. Willis departed this life, peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at age 94. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mattie and Isiah Willis; his wife, Ada Willis; two brothers, Honor Willis and Joe Henry Willis; six sisters, Mattie Jones, Lover Pipkins, Mary Smith, Ollie V. Smith, Isadora Walker and Annie Ruth Bookman-Spigner; three grandsons, Kevin Willis, Ahmad Willis and Thearin Bell; and a daughter in love, Sheila Willis.

Those who remain cherishing his memory are his four children: sons, Oliver, Herbert Willis (Rebecca) of Quitman and Alvin of Arlington; daughter, Cynthia Bell of Dallas; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

His favorite phrase was “Look at God” and “How good He has been to me.”