In Memory Of
William H. Willis
1931
2014
William H. Willis
August 29, 1931 — July 4, 2014
William H. "Bill" Willis, Sr., 82, of Topeka, passed away Friday, July 4, 2014.
He was born August 29, 1931 in Paris, Arkansas, the son of Harmon "Albert" and Effie Lee (McElhaney) Willis.
Bill owned and operated the Bill Sr. Appliance in Topeka until retiring in 1994.
He had been a member of Victory Acres Church in Topeka and Deacon of New Hope Baptist Church, Topeka. He also performed music for area churches and nursing homes in the Topeka area.
Bill married Betty J. Daiprai on November 28, 1950 in Rock Springs, WY. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2007. Survivors include two daughters, Becci (Steve) Brown of Rossville and Barbara (Elaine Roberts) Willis of Lawrence; a son, Bill (Brenda) Willis, Jr. of Lecompton; four grandchildren, Gina (Kris) Penzig of Topeka, Jason (Leah) Nelson of Topeka, Bonnie Jones of Lawrence and John Willis of Lecompton; six great-grandchildren, Vivian Penzig, of Topeka, Logan and Kyle Jones, and Jace, Betty Sue and Chloie Taylor, all of Lawrence; a brother, Harold (Frieda) Willis of Cameron, OK; and brother-in-law, Larry Daiprai of Topeka.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2014 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Bill will lie in state at the funeral home after 3 p.m., Thursday where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604.
Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604.
To leave a special message for William's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born August 29, 1931 in Paris, Arkansas, the son of Harmon "Albert" and Effie Lee (McElhaney) Willis.
Bill owned and operated the Bill Sr. Appliance in Topeka until retiring in 1994.
He had been a member of Victory Acres Church in Topeka and Deacon of New Hope Baptist Church, Topeka. He also performed music for area churches and nursing homes in the Topeka area.
Bill married Betty J. Daiprai on November 28, 1950 in Rock Springs, WY. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2007. Survivors include two daughters, Becci (Steve) Brown of Rossville and Barbara (Elaine Roberts) Willis of Lawrence; a son, Bill (Brenda) Willis, Jr. of Lecompton; four grandchildren, Gina (Kris) Penzig of Topeka, Jason (Leah) Nelson of Topeka, Bonnie Jones of Lawrence and John Willis of Lecompton; six great-grandchildren, Vivian Penzig, of Topeka, Logan and Kyle Jones, and Jace, Betty Sue and Chloie Taylor, all of Lawrence; a brother, Harold (Frieda) Willis of Cameron, OK; and brother-in-law, Larry Daiprai of Topeka.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2014 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Bill will lie in state at the funeral home after 3 p.m., Thursday where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604.
Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604.
To leave a special message for William's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William H. Willis, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, July 10, 2014
7:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Service
Friday, July 11, 2014
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Guestbook
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