Shirley Jean Willis' Obituary
Shirley Jean Willis, deceased on December 14, 2017, was born on March 17, 1939, to Beulah Sager and William Albert Middleton in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Waco High, attended Baylor University, and received her RN from Saint Paul Nursing School.She met Kenneth Willis in March of 1961, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. After some coaxing and serious schmoozing from Ken, they continued to date and were married on Valentine’s Day in 1962.Shirley is survived by her eternally loving husband Kenneth F Willis, her four grateful children Cheryl Drennan and her husband John, Lea Anne Garsaud and John Garsaud, Greg Willis and his wife Katie, David Willis and his wife Jennifer, and 8 amazing grandchildren: Ben Willis, Rosemary Willis, Joshua Drennan, Kristen Garsaud, Morgan Garsaud, Luke Drennan, Chris Drennan, and Olivia Willis. She also dearly loved her extended family, including her sister in law and her nieces, nephews, and great nephews in the San Francisco area.Shirley had a great balance of home and work, and also led a very active and social life. Professionally, she was a post-partum nurse. She was an angel to both new moms and newborns at Medical City Dallas for over 26 years. At home, she raised her children providing love and the tools needed to be successful in life, and provided a great example of what a loving marriage and close family looks like. She enjoyed precious time with her children and grandchildren at summer pool parties, holidays, and birthdays, and was always generous. She also lived life to the fullest and enjoyed this amazing Earth that God created. She and Ken joined a dance club, and through ballroom dancing they met some of the most amazing people who became life-long friends. They held dinner and dance parties, and always provided an open bar. She was also bitten by the travel bug, and has stood on every continent (with the exception of Australia). Travel with friends was always special, and included cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, and a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. One of the most awe inspiring adventures was a safari trip to South Africa with Ken. She walked on the Great Wall of China, saw the glaciers of Antarctica, and passage through the Panama Canal.Shirley was a devoted Catholic, belonged to the Elks Lodge in Dallas, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. She had a generous heart, and her favorite charities were the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the North Texas Food Bank.As a testament to her giving spirit, Shirley would prefer a donation to St Jude, or the Food Bank in lieu of flowers.Pall Bearers for the service:Greg WillisBen WillisDavid WillisJohn DrennanJoshua DrennanJohn Garsaud
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