William “Bill” Matthewson Willis III, age 83, of Harker Heights, Texas, was called Home to be with Jesus on April 6th after battling dementia. A servant of God, he faithfully led his family as a beloved husband to Karen, a loving dad to Kim and Liz, and a loved BIG to Evan (28), Garrett (26), Gracie (24), and Eden (20.)
Born in Grapeland, Texas, on April 23, 1940, Bill was the first and only child to Shirley Walton Willis Anderson and William Matthewson Willis II. While attending Lamar University, Bill and Karen began their lives together in Beaumont, TX. They were married on August 10, 1962, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Port Arthur, TX.
Bill's childhood in Grapeland was filled with joy as he played cowboys, rode stick horses, and shot marbles with his cousin David. His BB gun led to a lifelong passion for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. First with his Big Daddy (and Grandpa namesake) and, ultimately, his best buddies. After his father's tragic death in WWII, at the tender age of 12, he traded the red dirt of East Texas for country club life in Beaumont, TX, with his new stepdad, Cecil Anderson. There, he discovered his true calling and talent for golf, a sport he played with pride for the three-time National Champion Lamar Cardinals.
While attending Lamar University, he met the love of his life, Karen. There’s still debate to this day about who pursued whom, but Karen was undoubtedly enchanted by his good looks and talent. Upon Bill’s graduation, they moved to Nacogdoches, where they attended Stephen F. Austin. He earned his master's degree and they made life-long friends. After a short stint teaching in Texas City and starting their family, he attended Texas A&M to pursue a PhD. His undying LOVE for the Aggies bloomed. For the last 55 years, Bill and Karen have called Harker Heights home. He taught at Central Texas College for 10 years and coached the Temple College golf team for a few decades before retiring. “Coach Willis” inspired his players to give it their BEST, uphold high moral character, and develop a lifelong love of the game, profoundly impacting their lives. His team won the 2001 National Championship, for which he was selected as the coach of the year and was inducted into the NJCAA Golf Hall of Fame.
Bill and Karen’s first daughter, Kimberly Anne, was born in Groves, Texas, in 1965, and Elizabeth Kaye was born in Temple in 1968. Bill was immensely proud of them: they both attended Texas A&M, Kim became a physician, and Liz became a dentist. Bill taught them to believe they could do anything they dreamed of as long as it involved Texas A&M and did NOT involve golf.
“Big” adored his grandbabies! He shared his love of sports with Evan and Garrett and didn’t miss a game. Sometimes, he even traveled out of state to sideline coach Evan’s baseball and eagerly supported Garrett by learning unfamiliar sports, lacrosse and wrestling. His girls, Gracie and Eden, danced their hearts out, and he always showed up with warm hugs and the prettiest bouquets, demonstrating his unwavering love and support for his family.
Now Bill can rest in peace with the angels before him and his family by his side. His mother, Shirley, and father, William, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Karen Willis, of Harker Heights; daughter Kim Coates and son-in-law Greig Coates; daughter, Liz Willis and son-in-law Hoppy Lane.
Bill’s memorial service will be held at Harker Heights Methodist Church (208 W Cardinal Lane, Harker Heights 76548) on Tuesday, May 21st at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Bill’s much-loved Shriners Children’s Send Love to the Rescue (Donate Now).
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