Obit of Wills, Jim D. - Craig County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Shelly Lynch 17 Dec 2006 Return to Craig County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/craig/craig.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== ::Leonard & Marker FH--Bixby OK Jim D.Wills, was born on September 21, 1934, in Vinita, OK, to Brook and Jessie (Cox) Wills. He passed from this life on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, in Tulsa, at the age of 72 years and 27 days. Jim was a retired School Superintendent and a lifelong educator and coach. A graduate of Vinita High School and Northeastern State University, he began his coaching and teaching career in Carterville, MO. He then spent the next dozen years in several Oklahoma schools, including Hominy, Coalgate and Skiatook, before becoming Principal at Skiatook High School. While there, he became the Assistant Superintendent. He spent the rest of his education career as Superintendent of schools at Chelsea Public Schools and Henryetta Public Schools. He received his Master's Degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his principal's and superintendent's certification from Tulsa University. Following his retirement from public education in 1993, he spent the next eleven years with Ruth Kelly Studios in school public relations. Jim's passion was his family, particularly his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching their sports events. He also loved his church and church family. He enjoyed fishing, clock making and making cards on his computer. Jim was the "Big Dog", in the Hungry Dog Society, a group of close, dear friends, who met regularly around the dinner table. Jim married Jean Marilyn Ford, on January 26, 1957, in Bixby. They have 4 children, Mark and wife, Penny of Skiatook, Julie and husband, Steve Hunter of Ozark, MO, Derek and wife, Andrea of Skiatook and Amy Jordan of Chelsea. His 9 grandchildren include Kyle, Kent and Kendall Wills, Jordan, Spencer and Hayley Hunter, Ben Jordan, and Lexi and Casey Wills. Jim was preceded in death by: his parents; and brothers, J. B. Wills of Hammond, LA and Paul Wills of Phoenix, AZ. He is survived by: his wife Jean, all 4 of his children, all 9 grandchildren, and a host of close, loving friends. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the New Heart Fellowship (Broken Arrow) Relocation Fund or the Bixby Public Schools Endowment Fund. Private family Graveside service will be held prior to a celebration of his life at 2 p.m., Monday, October 23, 2006, at the New Heart Fellowship Church, located in Broken Arrow at 10675 S. 193rd E. Ave. (County Line Road). Service by Leonard & Marker Funeral Home of Bixby, 6521 E. 151st St., Bixby, OK 74008, 366-8288. Published in the Tulsa World on 10/22/2006. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Craig County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/craig/craig.html