Robert Ray Wills Sr.

Robert Ray (Bob) Wills, Sr. passed away in Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. He was born May 14, 1945 to Ruth and Gidney Wills at St. John’s Hospital in San Angelo.

Robert attended San Angelo schools and in 1963 joined the US Army. He proudly served his country for 21 years, retiring in 1984 as a Sergeant First Class. Some of his duty stations were in Germany, Thailand, Japan, and Korea. He was also a Certified Dental Technician for over 20 years.

A single parent for many years, in 2001, Robert married the love of his life, Gabriela (Bebe) Wills in Cebu Philippines. As Robert’s hearing declined, reading became an important part of his life. On one of his trips to his wife’s country the Philippines, he noticed that a small village elementary school did not have a library or books for the children to practice reading in English. Upon returning home, Robert collected, purchased, and shipped over 300 books to this small village school. Many of these children affectionate refer to him as “Daddy Bob.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Durwood Wills of Austin, TX and Paul Wills of El Paso, TX. He is survived by his loving wife, Gabriela, three sons, Robert R. Wills, Jr. and wife, Dilek of DeRidder, LA, Kevin Jay Wills and wife, Erica of Corpus Christi, TX, Donald L. Wills of San Angelo, TX; two daughters Terrie Wills Chumchal and husband Mark of San Angelo and Clarence Anne Bendanillo with the US Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska. He is also survived by the pride of his life, his grandchildren, Kristin Wills and Ryan Wills of DeRidder, LA, Sahara Wills of Corpus Christi, TX, Noah Robert Chumchal and Benjamin David Chumchal of San Angelo, TX. Also surviving is one brother, Wendell D. Wills of Bella Vista, AR. and one sister Helen Kennedy of San Angelo.

Also a very important part of his family are his in-laws in the Philippines, his father and mother-in-law, Francisco and Catalina Bendanillo, sister-in-law Florencia Zulueta and husband Donescio, brothers-in-law Eugenio Bendanillo and wife Joy, Efren Bendanillo and wife Lorne, Genie Bendanillo and 9 special nephews and nieces.

Services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, July 22nd in Johnson’s Funeral Homechapel, with Robert’s best friend of over 45 years, Keith Atwood of Midland, TX. officiating. Burial will be at the Texas Veterans Cemetery in Abilene. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations be made in Robert’s name to the Stephen’s Central Library, 33 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, Texas 76903.

Family and friends may sign on online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com