Phillip Lee Willis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Phillip Lee Willis (88), son of Cecil George Willis and Manota Lillian (Martin) Willis, was born on June 25, 1934, in Beckham County, Oklahoma. He passed away peacefully on Monday, July 4, 2022. Phil grew up on a farm in rural Beckham County, Oklahoma. He attended Sayre High School, where he played clarinet in a musical group called The Seven Crowns, participated in the carpentry club, and served as both the chapter president of Future Farmers of America and senior class president. He loved baseball and played on a farm team for a short time. He also served in the National Guard. In 1953, Phil married Coe Ann Thompson, with whom he had three children (Kevin, Kim, and Kory). He was interested in architecture and architectural design and designed the house where his family lived in Mescalero Park. He traveled around the country throughout his long career in sales. In 1974, he married Kay Cochran and moved to Tennessee with her and his stepdaughter, Tracie Jenkins. Phil married Retha Sue (Cottrell) Jones on December 31, 1988. They shared a love of horses and lived for many years in Highfill, Arkansas, near Gentry. Phil built and sold outdoor furniture for several years via his Outdoor Shop and also enjoyed custom woodworking. He was an avid reader, especially interested in the Old West and Native American history. On the death of their mother, Phil’s older brother Bobby moved a home to their property and lived a stone’s throw away from them until his death in 2021. Phil is survived by wife, Retha; his sons, Kory and Kevin; his stepdaughter, Tracie Jenkins; his granddaughters, Chelsea Cantwell Walker (daughter of Kim Willis Cantwell, deceased) and Rose Willis (daughter of Kory and Katie Conrad Willis); and his great granddaughters, Hannah and Emma Walker (daughters of Chelsea and Justin Walker). He will be sorely missed by his family. A memorial service will be held at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Rogers, Arkansas (2898 West Walnut, Rogers, AR 72756, 479-631-1353) on Saturday, July 9, at 10 am. A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed at https://my.gather.app/remember/phillip-willis Visitation hours will be 5-7 pm Friday, July 8, with a private visitation for family at 4 pm. A ceremony will also be held at the graveside at Rock Prairie Cemetery in Halltown, MO at 1 pm. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home.

Phillip Lee Willis

June 25, 1934 - July 4, 2022