Shirley G. Wills

A wife, mother, grandmother and woman before her own time, was born to Imogene and Ernest Saunders in New Orleans, LA. After spending many formative years in New Orleans, Shirley, her mother and sister moved to Odessa, TX. In 1950 she met and married Tom Watson becoming a young mother to 2 children, Melanie and Tommy. Soon after having her first child, they moved to Levelland, TX. After having Tommy, she began her working career becoming the beauty with a big brain. She later began college in Levelland, Tx in the same year as her son Tommy, who happily shared classes with her occasionally. (So, she said.) Their education took separate paths as she continued her education at Texas Tech in Lubbock, eventually acquiring her CPA designation.

Early during her "college days" she began life with her second husband Jim Rob wills and the two lived a life of happily ever after. Her biggest loss in life occurred with the death of Jim (PaPa) on September 14, 2003.

After they moved to Lubbock, she completed college and became the first woman not only to work for Mason, Nichols and Warner but become a partner in the firm. Proving herself to be a well-respected member there until she was recruited by Cardiology Associates to serve as their personal CPA and CFO. During her time there her grown children would lose complete contact with her for 3-4 months during tax season. For that, we were truly grateful to her bosses as she turned into a different woman during those months.

In 1992 she was selected and given the honor of Distinguished Accounting Alumni by Texas Tech. Her family was so very proud of her for her dedication and commitment to her profession. Not to upset any of you who may have had to pay good money for her services, but we, the family, got it for free.

She eventually opened her own private office keeping only a few select clients. After several years she moved her office to her home which finally, after many extended retirement dates, led to just that, her retirement.

Her remaining years were spent doing what she loved the most. She always supported Texas Tech sports teams and loved entertaining for birthdays, holidays, game nights and the most loved Kentucky Derby.

She is survived by her sister Patricia of Corpus Christi, her daughter Melanie and husband jeff of Reno, NV. Her son Tommy Watson preceded her in death by 4 weeks. She is also survived by Jim's children John and wife Lisa of Corpus Christi, salty and husband Charlie of Weesatche, Tx and Nancy of Portland, Or. Grandchildren are Wendi, Stephanie, Zack, Kevin, Sarah, Holly, Natalie, Cory, Cari, Colton and 3 great grandchildren plus nephews and nieces whom she dearly loved and watched over diligently.

There are so many people she considered family not just by blood, a few are Trudy, Vicki, Sue, Karen, Betty, Linda, Charlie and Wendy, Miles and Jennifer, and the many care givers that so graciously supported her end-of-Life challenges. The family truly appreciates and loves each of you for your friendship and care you gave her over the years.

We have all experienced those funny moments with her that I hope you each remember. Please bring it with you in written form so we can share our fondest memories of her with each other.

We will all miss her so terribly much. For some our biggest challenge will be Learning how to live our lives without her always ready advice and constant humor. But mostly she will be remembered for her ever-present feisty attitude. Your family loves you forever.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Shirley's name to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital. This was her favorite charity. Thank you.