Franklin Willis Jr. 1926-2021

Franklin Willis Jr., 95 of Mineola passed away peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 15, 2021. Franklin (Junior) was born on Feb. 19, 1926 in Emory to Thomas Frank Willis and Mary Alice Fuston Willis as the oldest of nine children. He was married to the love of his life, Marjorie Boozer Willis, for 74 years and 6 months where they resided in Mineola. He served in United States Army 7th Infantry Division in World War II on Okinawa until wounded. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He received the Purple Heart Medal for his service as well as several others. For 42 years, Junior was employed by the State of Texas Department of Transportation where he retired as a maintenance supervisor. Upon retirement, his favorite pastimes were to ride his tractors, fish and hunt. He raised a garden yearly that could feed most of Wood County. He also enjoyed visiting Brookshire’s every morning and having a hot cup of coffee and a chicken leg.

Junior faithfully served the Lord and was a member of Hainesville Baptist Church. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all his heart. He was quite the prankster to all people he met. His blue eyes would sparkle when he smiled.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Alice Willis; and brothers, Jesse Willis, Joe Willis and Earnest Willis.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Ruth Boozer Willis; daughter, Linda Tileston and husband Jeff, daughter Deborah Wickert and husband Darrell, son Harold Willis and wife Kelly, and daughter Cindy Nelson and husband Russell; eight grandchildren, Darrell Wickert, Jr. and wife Margaret, Stephanie Hall and husband Brandon, De Anna Nunez and husband Albert, Donna French and husband Ralph, Josh Drew and wife Kamber, Darla Wickert, Adam Nelson and Benjamin Nelson; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Odessa Belcher, Marie Attaway, Joyce Bullard and Barbara Abbott; and brother, Dale Willis.  

Pallbearers will be Darrell Wickert, Jr., Josh Drew, Adam Nelson, Benjamin Nelson, Albert Nunez and Ralph French II. Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Hall and Ralph French III.

Visitation is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at Hainesville Baptist Church, 3368 FM 49, Mineola. Funeral service is scheduled to follow at the church at 2 p.m. with E.K. Carter and Terry Davis officiating. A military graveside service will follow the funeral at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Mineola.  

In lieu of flowers, a cash donation can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Franklin’s name (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or a bible purchased through Gideon International (https://www.sendtheword.org).