W. Dean Willis' Obituary
W. Dean Willis went to his heavenly home on March 27, 2016. He was born to Wesley and Grace Willis in Ridgecrest, N.C. on January 31, 1922. He and his first Wife, Nancy, met and were married there in 1947. At the time Dean was Town Manager of Black Mountain, N.C. In August, 1952, at the invitation of Dr. W.A. Criswell, Dean, his wife and two young daughters moved to Dallas. Dean had accepted the assignment to serve as the First Baptist Church’s first Business Administrator. Dean is survived by his wife of eleven years, Martha Branham Willis, daughters Patty Edwards and husband Bob of Midland, Texas and Elaine McInturff and husband Pat of Houston, Texas. Other survivors are grand children Amy Buchanan and husband Alan of Midland, Jeff Edwards and wife Candice of Lawton, OK. Chris McInturff and wife Paige of Houston, TX, Kelly McInturff of Houston and Kim McInturff Cima and husband Ivan of Houston. Dean also is survived by eight great- grand children. Other survivors are step- daughter Beki King of Houston and step- son Stephen Branham of Garland. Numerous nieces and nephews survive as well as a sister-in-law, Polly Causby of Shelby, N.C. and brother-in-law David Walters and wife Christine of Fayetteville N.C. Dean is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Irvin, a sister Iris, and Nancy, his first wife of 55 years. Dean graduated from Mars Hill College and Wake Forest University. His military career was in the Army Quartermaster Corp where he served in Hawaii most of his tenure of 33 months. Following the end of World War II he was Town Manager of Black Mountain, N.C. before coming to the FBC of Dallas. In 1966 Dean became the Chief Financial Officer for Buckner Baptist Benevolences (now Buckner International). After retiring in 1987, he helped establish the Buckner Associates Credit Union and served as its president until it merged with Lone Star Credit Union. For several years he worked part-time with LSCU. Dean served as president of the Black Mountain Jaycees, the National Association of Church Business Administrators, the Dallas Chapter of NACBA, the Southern Baptist Business Officers, the President’s Sunday School Class at FBCD, and Deacon for over 60 years. In recent years Dean was a volunteer in the FBC Business Office and the Baylor Health Care System Foundation. In college Dean played in the band and sang in the glee clubs. He enjoyed music. He also loved to travel and visited all but one of the United States as well as numerous foreign countries. One of the richest blessings of his life was the association he had with wonderful friends in First Baptist Church, The President’s Sunday School Class, Buckner International, NACBA, Lone Star Credit Union, and Baylor Health Care System Foundation. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Dallas Building Fund, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, TX 75201. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 1st at 11 AM in the historic sanctuary of the First Baptist Church Dallas interment at Restland Cemetery. Dr. Robert Jeffress will officiate. The family will receive visitors following the service in the Atrium. Interment will be at Restland at 2:30 PM. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home. 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
What’s your fondest memory of W.?
What’s a lesson you learned from W.?
Share a story where W.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with W. you’ll never forget.
How did W. make you smile?