Elizabeth Willis

Elizabeth Florence Willis, age 91, and resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away in the Jane Phillips Medical Center, Bartlesville, on Monday, October 13. Life began for Elizabeth Florence Dolan in Sperry, Oklahoma on March 23, 1923. Those present were Aunt Florence Jobe, Dr. Humphrey and parents, Bill and Bonnie Dolan. Elizabeth was the first baby girl he delivered and, of course, it took place at their home. She went to Sperry schools and attended and joined the R.L.D.S. Church. Brother Cass baptized her. She lived all of her life with her parents until she met a man from Bixby, Oklahoma that came to Sperry and stole her heart. She dated his cousin, Otis Beene, and her cousin, Lottie Williamson, dated Tommy Willis. Then "oops"!, they switched - Elizabeth and Tommy were married on March 31, 1940. They lived on Main St. in Sperry in a little green house across from the old filling station. When she became pregnant with Bonita, she craved ice and they always made sure she had some. Nine and one-half years after Bonita came Gary. They moved one time in Sperry on 2nd street - a block from the church. In 1960, the family moved to Bartlesville. Tommy put in a Brace Shop. Elizabeth enjoyed decorating, being in plays, clubs and parties. She always had parties. One year on Gary's birthday she did it Hawaiian and put palm trees in the backyard. Then Hollywood, California came along. "Dad" moved her to California for three months. Oh - what a life! She did a few commercials in Tulsa, but Hollywood was "WOW"! She auditioned for a bank, McDonalds and a Fun Park and many more. Family was in Oklahoma and she decided it was time to be a homemaker and work with her husband fitting breast prosthesis. She called it "breast lifters". Bun (Bonita) married in 1962 to George Reynolds, and she graduated from TU in 1962. Gary graduated from high school in Bartlesville and attended OU. Gary built homes in Taos, New Mexico and traveled extensively. Travel, travel!! Her first grandson, Greg, was born in 1967 and attended OSU. Greg was married in 1989 and in 1992, Dalton, her great-grandson was born. Oh, what joy! Great-granddaughter, Macy, arrived in 2000 and life was more glorious. Tommy left this world to be in Heaven in May 2000. He was dearly loved and missed by all. They had sixty years together! Shortly thereafter, Elizabeth fell and broke her hip - spending a few months in the nursing home. After recovery, she moved to the ranch and lived with her daughter and son-in-law. Bun and Elizabeth performed in many places doing their skits. Some years they did several skits for different organizations at Christmas. She ran the Crayon Shop for 10 years and The Angel Niche for 15 years. Elizabeth was still partying at 90, playing cards with whoever would play - decorating and enjoying every day. Most of the time she was with Bun and George at the ranch, always ready to go and be busy, busy, busy. Life was never dull. There were lots to do if you just looked for it. Most of all, Elizabeth loved her family and all her extended family with all her heart. Survivors include her daughter, Bonita Reynolds and her husband, George; son, Gary Thomas Willis; grandson, Gregory Thomas Reynolds; and great-grandchildren, Dalton Drake Reynolds and Macy Lynn Reynolds. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, October 14th, 2014 5:00pm - 7:00am, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 2:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Interment Details

Resthaven (Sperry Cemetery)