Wendell D Wills

Wendell D. Wills, 90, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Born in San Angelo, Texas on June 1, 1930 to Ruth and Gidney Wills, Wendell was the second of five siblings. As a young man, he joined the United States Air Force, working as an airplane mechanic for four years.

Wendell met his late wife of 56 years, Rena Lou, at her cousin’s wedding and married her on June 1, 1956. Throughout their life together, Wendell and Rena Lou enjoyed league bowling and frequent trips to Las Vegas. The two spent 30 years living in company camps while Wendell worked as a compressor operator for El Paso Natural Gas, spending the majority of their time in Corona, New Mexico before retiring to El Paso. During this time, Wendell and Rena Lou raised their children, made lifelong friendships, and “adopted” many into their family.

In 1992, they followed their oldest daughter Janet and her family to Arkansas and made Bella Vista their home. Wendell loved to spend time with his family, including his many nieces and nephews, and was a doting grandfather. After his wife’s death in 2012, Wendell continued to focus on his family, making frequent trips to Tennessee and Mississippi to visit his great-grandchildren. He was also an avid hat collector, and his good will and humor continued to charm those around him, even in his final years.

Wendell was preceded in death by his wife Rena Lou; parents Ruth and Gidney; brothers Durwood, Paul, and Robert; and son Michael David.

He is survived by daughter, Patsy Wills, of Bella Vista; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Robin Perkins, of Rogers; granddaughter, Brittany Perkins, of Rogers; grandson, and his wife, Josh and Nikki Perkins, of Lithia, Florida; great-grandson Dallas, of Lithia; great-granddaughter Addyson, of Lithia; sister Helen Kennedy, of San Angelo, Texas; close friends Joe and Linda Carter of El Paso, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the Arkansas State Veterans Home and the Willard Walker Hospice Home for their caring and compassion. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. www.RollinsFuneral.com