Ronnie Willis

Ronnie Willis, 74, of Spearman, passed away on September 28, 2023, in Spearman.

A celebration of life memorial service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Pastor Jim Sinyard of Carpenter’s church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Ronnie was born on November 2, 1948, in Altus, OK to Dow and Ila Willis. As a young boy his family moved to Lefors through his father’s work. Ronnie attended elementary and junior high before his family moved to Spearman. He was baptized in Spearman at the Cornerstone Methodist Church of Spearman. Ronnie graduated from Spearman High School and become a long-time resident of Hansford County.

After high school, Ronnie went to college to be a mechanic. He used this trade to enter the oil & gas industry working for Northern Natural Gas just like his father before him, a career that spanned over 30 years before his retirement. After his retirement, Ronnie started a new occupation when he began working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, a career that lasted five years. Ronnie was not a man to stand still, so he and his best friend, Don Maize started Don & Ronnie’s shop. In his spare time, he loved to shoot guns, re-load his own ammunition, and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

Ronnie later met Joyce and they married on September 21, 2005, in Spearman. Ronnie was a fun-loving man, who loved people and those qualities earned him the title of Co-Citizen of the Year of Spearman in 2003. He was also generous and kind-hearted man who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ronnie is survived by his wife, Joyce of the home; a sister, Linda Winegarner and husband Norlan of Spearman; a brother, Tim Willis and wife Stacy of Canyon; nieces, Maddy Willis of Canyon, Cami Meason and husband Jody of Amarillo, Keaka Shehane of Houston, Malia Lasoya of Spring, and Alena Lasoya of San Antonio; nephews, Caleb Willis and wife Becky of Lindale, Josh Winegarner and wife Jenni of Canyon, Keith Winegarner and wife Cortney of Perryton; several great nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and by long-time best friends, Don Maize and Lynanne Maize of Spearman.