Willow Deene Voss

Willow Deene (McMillan) Voss, died on August 13, 2014, in Plainview, Texas, at 95 years of age. Born on May 30, 1919 near Hermleigh, in Scurry County, Texas, to A. A. and Mary Alice McMillan, she was one of their 15 children, including seven daughters and eight sons, reared on the McMillan family farm.

She married Garland Van Voss on November 9, 1940, and they loved each other intensely during 65 years of marriage. Van died on February 5, 2006. Left to follow Willow and Van’s life example are two sons, Barry Voss and wife, Kim, of Lubbock, Texas, and Lanny Voss of Plainview, Texas, four grandchildren, Dax Voss, Ben Voss, Skyler Voss and Adilyn Voss, and two great grandchildren, Allie Voss and Vanden Voss, all of Lubbock, Texas.

Willow was preceded in death by her parents and by thirteen of her brothers and sisters, including her twin brother, Wiley. She is survived by one brother, Teddy Joe McMillan, of Snyder, Texas, and by many nieces and nephews. The McMillan family, their achievements, and close relationships with her brought Willow great joy and sustained her through life. She loved being a McMillan and the legacy of her family.

Willow left home at age 19 for Lubbock where she began working. After marrying Van in 1940, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and they were separated by World War II for 42 months, until he returned from service in the Pacific Theater in Manila, The Philippines. When he returned, they lived, worked, and reared their sons in Roscoe, Texas, until 1959, when they moved to Odessa, Texas, which became their home for life. Although she moved to Lubbock at age 90, then to Plainview during the last months of her life, Willow loved the city of Odessa, her friends, church, and activities. She cherished life in Odessa and living in her home there.

Willow was a working wife and mother throughout her life. She was employed for many years at what was then Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, from which she retired. Soon after moving to Odessa in 1957, Willow and Van became members of Crescent Park Baptist Church. She remained a member of the church for 65 years until her death. She was a Sunday School teacher and found her calling there in ministry. For 35 years she worked each Sunday as a teacher in a Sunday School class formed for ministry to children with special needs. She and Clementa Sigman worked alongside Kay Evans, the first full time special education teacher employed in the Odessa Independent School District to create a unique Sunday School class where these children were ministered to with love, patience, and an educated understanding of their needs.

Willow Voss awakened each day thankful for the light of a new day and the opportunity it would bring to befriend and serve others. Her life was marked by unconditional love for people, by faith in Christ and a servant spirit, and by joy and optimism. She was a devoted wife and life companion to Van, a mother who shaped her sons by her example, and a friend like none other. She had fun every day.

Family visitation at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27th, followed by grave side service at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Willow’s family suggests memorials may be made to Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 East University Blvd., Odessa, Texas 79762.

Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.