Barbara Jean Willis

Barbara Jean Willis, 86, of Pampa, passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Amarillo.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Priest Park Church of God with Pastor James Shook, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the directions of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

The family will receive guests from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the funeral home.

Barbara was born on March 29, 1938, in Inman, South Carolina, to Carl and Alta Hild. She moved to Pampa in 1952 and attended Pampa High School. Barbara married the love of her life, Earnest Willis, on October 6, 1955, at the Church of God in Pampa. She was a devoted member of the Priest Park Church of God for 72 years where she taught Sunday School and sang with various ensembles. 

Barbara loved landscape design and working in her yard with her husband, Earnest. Working together, she and Earnest were able to bring all of their designs to life. Their home is known around the community as “the house with the yard,” where neighborhood kids were always welcome. Barbara loved going shopping with her granddaughters, watching her grandson play soccer, and going to Market with her dear friend, Gwen Douthit. No one ever had an unkind thing to say about Barbara, and she was loved by everyone she met. She was known as a wonderful hostess with sweet tea and homemade treats, ready to listen when you needed a friend. Barbara loved playing yard games and was the family champion of Bocce…and she wouldn’t let you forget it. She loved her family dearly and attended as many games, band concerts, and activities as she could. Barbara was a second mom to many including five siblings and two nephews.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Alta Hild; siblings, Donald Hild, Jane Boykin, David Hild, and Fred Hild.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Earnest Willis of the home; daughters, Linda Vernon and husband Rusty of Austin, and Diana Teague and husband Dale of Pampa; grandchildren, Matthew Vernon and wife Sandra of Manor, Sarah Wyrick and husband Roger or Burleson, Erin Bailey and husband Brandon of Amarillo; great grandchildren, Harper Jean Wyrick and Asher Wyrick of Burleson; siblings, Julia Willis, Helen Movius and husband Dale, and Clarence Willis.

Memorials may be made to Priest Park Church of God 731 N Faulkner, Pampa, TX 79065.