Charles H. "Chuck" Willett

Charles H. "Chuck” Willett was born in Dallas, Texas on April 11, 1943 and ascended to Heaven on September 3, 2025, from Mansfield, Texas. From an early age, he chose to walk the path of Christ’s Great Commandment: Love of God, Love of his neighbor, Forgiveness, Service and Humility. In so doing, Charles became the very definition of the Selfless Servant, as he dedicated his entire life to loving and caring for his fellow man, and their kids. The world is a much better place, because Charles lived in it.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hollis J. Willett and Sue Anna Willett and his nephew Michael Lanier. He is survived by his two younger sisters, Kay Savage and Debbie Yancey, his brother-in-law Dorman Yancey, nephew John Savage and niece Holly Lanier, as well as numerous loving great nieces and nephews, first and second cousins.

Charles attended public schools in Dallas, Texas, graduating from North Dallas High School in 1961. Following high school, Charles attended Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas in 1961. Initially pursuing a degree in Drama, he considered the ministry before finally settling on Education as his career path, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. While attending TWU, Charles was a charter member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. During his junior and senior summer, Charles also served as a Youth Director at the 1st United Methodist Church of Raymondville in South Texas. Living next to the church, Charles created several lifelong friends during these summers, culminating in a bus “Tour of Texas”, in which he chaperoned his Youth Group as they toured numerous Methodist congregations throughout the state.

After college, Charles enthusiastically joined the National Teachers Corps, a new federal initiative started by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 which aimed to insert qualified educators in schools with disadvantaged children. Choosing Galveston as his assignment, Charles was hired by Galveston ISD to become the first and only Anglo teacher at the then-segregated Central High School. Teaching Speech and Drama, Charles quickly became a student favorite and was voted Teacher of the Year after the 67-68 school year. A turbulent period in America’s history, GISD began the phased integration of Ball High School and the district administration sought to bring Charles over to Ball High in 1968. He was charged with aiding in the integration of the two schools over a 2 year period. It has been suggested that his universal popularity with the students at both schools facilitated a surprisingly peaceful transition during a time when other school districts in Texas and the south suffered significant civil unrest related to integration efforts. In 1969 he became a school counselor, and then an Assistant Principal in 1973, a role he preferred to maintain until retiring from Ball High in 1995. It was in this position that Charles excelled doing what he loved the most - making contact with troubled students, encouraging, mentoring and (rarely) disciplining. Charles was loved by all his students and made an impact on countless lives.

After retiring from GISD, Charles embarked on a 2nd career in education, this time as the Education Director for Moody Gardens in Galveston. This pursuit was cut short when his father became ill and passed in 1996, prompting Charles to move back to Dallas in 1997 to care for his aging mother and beloved Aunt Bea, before their eventual passing. He remained in the North Texas area to be near his surviving family, until his death.

A lifelong bachelor, Charles dedicated his life to being a friend. He supported everyone in their times of need. Particularly all his “kids”, current and former students with whom he would engage with on a level that most teenage kids could not with other adults. With his compassion and understanding, many kids turned to Charles to navigate their way through teenage angst, family problems and dark places when they felt they had no one else to turn to. When a student got in trouble in school, or a teacher had simply enough of them, off to Mr. Willett’s office they would be sent. Charles was always there, with an encouraging talk, a supportive hug, an unwavering belief in the child. Each student left Charles’ presence certain that he woke up that day only for them. As a result, there are many forked life paths that he is singularly responsible for a positive redirecting.

Charles loved fun, and fun seemed to follow him. Whether wearing a Hawaiian shirt at a Jimmy Buffett concert, dressing in Victorian attire for Dickens' Evening on the Strand, or traveling the country and the world, Chuck lived life with zest and to its fullest. He always had a huge smile to greet you, with his perfectly combed hair, and an occasional jig as he would shout out “Chuck’s here!”

In his final years, Charles continued his mentoring, first through St. Andrews United Methodist, and later First Methodist Church of Mansfield, by checking up on all his “kids” which he had gathered through the 3 decades of mentorship at Central and Ball High Schools. Even after his terminal diagnosis, Charles remained upbeat. He declared that his primary goal was to continue his mentorship, counseling and support “as long as he was able.” He did so through his carefully scheduled calls, emails, Facebook posts, personal visits and unwavering church attendance. The high point of this final chapter in Charles’ life was one last visit to his former Galveston Island home in September of 2024, during which a weeklong outpour of love and appreciation simply overwhelmed him.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the staff at Community Hospice, who cared for Charles throughout his final year on this earth. Additionally, to Charles’ friend Gage Harmon, who selflessly volunteered to move in and care for him soon after his terminal diagnosis and continued to do so until the end.

Visitation is scheduled from 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S Bowen Road, Arlington TX 76016. Funeral services are to be at 10:00 am Friday, September 12 at First Methodist Church of Mansfield, 777 North Walnut Creek, Mansfield TX 76063. A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 pm at Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. After services, the family would like to invite guests to join them for appetizers and fellowship at Sevy’s Grill, 8201 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75225.

The funeral service will also be live streamed at www.fmcm.org/funeral

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation to Charles favorite charity, Texas Wesleyan University, Attention Advancement Office, 1201 Wesleyan Street, Fort Worth 76105, or to First Methodist Church of Mansfield, 777 North Walnut Creek, Mansfield TX 76063