Willis B. Winston

Willis B. Winston of Alexander Arkansas, age 69, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2022. He was born June 19, 1952 in Pine Bluff Arkansas to James and Catherine Winston. Willis is survived by his brother James H. Winston and sister, Mary C. Welch. He was a 1970 graduate of Dollarway High School. Willis Winston went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and 1985 with a Masters in Secondary Education. He also was a certified gifted and talented teacher/administrator. Willis was an educator or 46 years; six years at Des Arc, ten years at Lonoke, twenty-three at Pulaski County Special School District and seven years as a science consultant for AR AIMS (Arkansas Advanced Initiative in Math and Science).

As a high school student Willis believed that teaching was his calling in life. He pursued this career eagerly and persistently. Throughout his career Willis accepted many challenging opportunities, that arose. Among these were being a G/T teacher and coordinator for Lonoke Public Schools, Pre-AP and AP training and teaching in several science fields in PCSSD, consulting in middle school science for College Board’s Southwest Region, consulting for AR AIMS and training teachers for AR AIMS also. Willis was honored by Des Arc as teacher of the year in 1980, PCSSD as science teacher of the year in 1997 and also received a Special Recognition Award from College Board or his work with middle school teacher training in 2004.

Willis became an educator because he believed it was a noble profession; he continued or 46 years because he felt validated and enriched from the opportunities, the people he met and with whom he worked and the love of learning he never lost. He continued to contribute to his students, colleagues and school communities throughout his career with his sense of humor, dedication, creativity and enthusiasm. He strove to be a challenging but supportive teacher throughout his career and encouraged and supported the people in his life and career to the best of his abilities.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, James and Catherine Winston, his sister Linda Winston Sharp, his aunt Frances Cato Willis and Steven Lilly. He had many nieces and nephews. Willis will missed by his lifelong friends, John Canfield, Dorothy Gantz, Sarah Mayfield, Susan Ames and many others.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pinecrestfh.com for the Winston family.