Evelyn Joyce Willis

Evelyn Joyce (Forrest) Willis, beloved wife of ACU Professor Dr. John Willis, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Abilene.  She was 87.  Funeral services will be on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Highland Church of Christ, with burial to follow at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery.  A visitation will be on Monday, April 18 ^th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Evelyn was born at her family home outside Ralls, Texas on March 1, 1935 to William Ellis and Esther Forrest.  She graduated from Stamford High School in 1952 and then attended Abilene Christian College, graduating with a degree in Education in 1956.  It was during her last semester at ACC that she married John Willis on January 27, 1956 in Stamford with Dr. J.D. Thomas presiding.  Following graduation in May of 1956, the couple moved to Nashville, Tennessee.  John starting teaching at David Lipscomb University and Evelyn became a mom and a housewife.  All 4 of the Willis children were born in Nashville.  In 1971, the Willis family moved back to Abilene, where John started teaching Bible at ACC.  Evelyn went to work as a secretary for Bailey Bridge Company, the McGlothlin Group and ACU.  It was in 1997 that she decided to go back to school and pursue a Master’s degree at ACU, completing her work, and her Master’s, in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1999.  Evelyn and John were very active in their work at the Highland Church of Christ.  John was appointed an elder in 1976 and Evelyn served alongside John until the day of her passing.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ellis and Esther Forrest.  She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dr. John Willis; sons David Willis and wife Danna of American Samoa, Timothy Willis and wife Jan of Malibu, California and Paul Willis of Minneapolis, Minnesota; daughter Deborah Doss and husband Stuart of Pearland, Texas; a brother Dale Forrest of Arizona; plus 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

The family request that, instead of flowers or plants, donations be made to the John and Evelyn Willis Endowment Fund at Abilene Christian University.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.