Taylor Co., TX - Obituaries - T.M. Willis *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Brad Willis Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** T. M. Willis, 78, Abilenian For 54 Years, Dead Funeral Services Will Be At 3:30 This Afternoon Thomas M. Willis, 78, resident of Abilene 54 years, died late yesterday afternoon at his home, 341 Jeanette street. He had been in failing health two years, but was critically ill only nine days. Funeral for Mr. Willis will be at First Presbyterian church of which he was a member. The pastor, Dr. T. S. Knox, will officiate. Burial will be in the Masonic cemetery under direction of Laughter’s Funeral home. Before retiring from law practice, Mr. Willis held several public offices and was an illustrious character in Abilene from the early days. Last March he was among those attending Abilene’s 56th anniversary celebration. He and Mrs. Willis, the former Sally [sic] A. Parker, observed their 51st wedding anniversary here June 26. He was born June 27, 1859 in Georgia, but came to Texas at an early age. Members of the Taylor County Bar association will be honorary pallbearers, and active pallbearers will be L. A. Sadler, Judge Milburn S. Long, W. D. Mayfield, W. D. Gulledge, T. L. Spencer, W. Hammonds, Harvey Brown and Loyd Bynum. Survivors are his wife, six children, John T. Willis of Waco, Sally [sic] Willis of Fort Worth, Parker Willis of Wichita Falls, Mrs. Ike Hudson of Houston, Grant Willis and Thomas H. Willis of Abilene. Ten grandchildren also survive. Mrs. Willis is one of the five Parker sisters who attended the birthday celebration here in the spring. Others are Mrs. George W. McDaniel, Mrs. Samuel R. Cox, Mrs. D. P. Woodard, and Mrs. Bettie P. Kelley. -The Abilene Reporter-News. November 28, 1937, p. 1