Donald "Don" Earl Willis

Donald “Don” E. Willis, 94, passed away on November 11, 2022 in Bryan, Texas.  Following a family burial, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Fellowship in Bryan, Texas on November 19, 2022.

Don was born in Tipton, OK on June 25, 1928, to R.E. and Beatrice Harper Willis. When he was six years old, his family moved to Plainview, TX, where he lived for the next 80 years of his life. He graduated from Plainview High School and then later earned a B.A. from Wayland Baptist University. Don married Melba Jo Roberts Willis in May of 1952 in Plainview where they made their home until June of 2015 when they moved to Bryan, TX.

Don gave his life to Jesus Christ as a young man in an open field after the witness of a close friend. He was a life-long Christian, and for nearly seven decades, was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Plainview. Don served as a church deacon for 50 of those years in addition to teaching Sunday School and Training Union and acting as church treasurer.

He worked at the U.S. Post Office and was manager of Plains Federal Credit Union before retiring in 1995. Don also served on several boards and committees including the Hospital Authority Board. His involvement in city organizations included time as a civil service examiner and he was charter president of the Breakfast Optimist Club.

Coin and stamp collecting, and reading were hobbies as well as being a nostalgic car enthusiast, but one of Don’s most favorite things in life was playing 42. He and Melba Jo were in several 42 groups, the most cherished of those being the “supper group” with their closest friends that started soon after college and lasted more than 40 years.  After moving to Bryan, Don always looked forward to playing 42 with the “guys” from church. Spending time with grandchildren, however, brought him the greatest joy!

Don also enjoyed traveling with Melba Jo’s sister and brother-in-law on their trips around the United States and almost into Canada on 9/11. They toured many Texas cities together as well.  When they could not go on longer trips, they met as often as possible in Abilene to play 42 and eat at Perini’s.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Melba Jo Willis; infant son, Alan Don Willis; and his parents.  Donald will be missed by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Janabeth and Ray Spradling, Jerilyn and Chris Crawley; four grandchildren, Ben and Meghan Spradling, Melanie and Jared Karns, Tristan and Abby Crawley and Trent Crawley; six great-grandchildren, Caroline and Cameron Spradling, Lincoln and Cooper Karns, Taylor and Eli Crawley; two brothers and sister in-law, John and Sharon Willis and Laverne Willis; as well as numerous other family and friends.

The family requests memorials be sent to Calvary Fellowship, 2009 Cavitt Ave., Bryan, Texas 77801, or Wayland Baptist University, 1900 W. 7th, Plainview, Texas 79072.