Memorials › Hester M. Beck Willis

Hester M. Beck Willis

1 Feb 1924 – 6 May 2009

Birth	1 Feb 1924
Death	6 May 2009
Cemetery	Oakwood Cemetery Waco , McLennan County , Texas , USA
Added by	Angel of Flowers on 09 Mar 2023
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36854339

Gravesite details

The granite grave marker is in good condition.

Bio

Hester M. Beck Willis, age 85, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at her residence. Graveside services will be 12 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Oakwood Cemetery with the Reverend Jeff Hall, the minister to the Cox Chapel community of Highland Park Methodist Church, officiating. Mrs. Willis was born February 1, 1924 in Waco, Texas, the only child of the late Roy Elmer Beck and Elizabeth "Bessie" Lethella Howell Beck. She attended the Waco Public Schools, graduating from Waco High School in 1941, and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor University. She was a teacher in the La Vega, Dallas and Waco School Districts before her marriage to John Todd Willis, Jr. on Feb. 2, 1952, at Austin Avenue Methodist Church of Waco. A member of Austin Avenue Methodist Church, she served on the Board of Stewards and the Administrative Board, and was a life member of the United Methodist Women. For many years she was a teacher in the Primary I Department and the Friendship Class. Active in the community, she was a life member of the Friends of the Waco Public Library and a member of the Sterling C. Robertson Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Henry Downs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Chapter B.F. of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and the Mary Milam Garden Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Todd Willis, Jr. Survivors include sons, Dr. T. Bradford Willis, of Waco, and David Parker Willis Sr., and his wife, Carol, of Houston; and grandchildren, David Parker Willis Jr. and Laura Anne Willis. The family wishes to express appreciation to her many friends for their visits, flowers, and cards over the past several years. The family wishes to express appreciation to her physicians, especially Dr. Samuel W. Ralston, Dr. Randolph B. Veazey, Dr. J. Kendall Ethridge, and Dr. H. John Quinius. Appreciation is expressed to the staff of the Emergency Center and the Rehabilitation Services of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. The family wishes to also express appreciation to her caregivers, Margie Montgomery, Bertha Dotson, Melvin Dotson, Evelyn Howard, Tamela O'Neal, Glenda Thomas, Janet Reed, Shirley Acevedo, Juanita Scott, Shelia Davis, Connie Fuller and the staff of Visiting Angels. Appreciation is expressed as well to Kim Smith, Danna Perlowski, Charla Hughes, and the staff of Hillcrest Hospice, and to Laura Hoffmeyer of the Bluebonnet Homecare. Memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, P.O. Box 9254, Uniondale, NY, or the charity of your choice. Waco Tribune-Herarald: 5/08/2009...G4 The following is a House Resolution which was submitted by State Representative Jim Dunnam: H.R. No. 2541 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Hester Beck Willis of Waco, who passed away on May 6, 2009, at the age of 85; and WHEREAS, Born on February 1, 1924, in Waco, Hester Beck was the only child of Roy and Bessie Beck; she graduated from her hometown high school with the Class of 1941, earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor University, and went on to teach in the La Vega, Dallas, and Waco school systems; and WHEREAS, She exchanged the vows of matrimony with John Todd Willis, Jr., on February 2, 1952, at a ceremony held at the Austin Avenue Methodist Church in Waco; Mrs. Willis and her husband became the proud parents of two children and shared a rewarding marriage until his passing; and WHEREAS, A life member of United Methodist Women, Mrs. Willis served her fellow congregants at Austin Avenue UMC as a member of the administrative and stewards' boards and as a Sunday school teacher for the Primary I Department and the Friendship Class; this engaged citizen was a member of the Sterling C. Robertson Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Henry Downs Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Chapter BF of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Mary Milam Garden Club, and she held a life membership with the Friends of the Waco-McLennan County Library; and WHEREAS, A kind and caring woman, Hester Willis left an indelible impression on the lives of all who shared in her love and friendship, and they will forever carry her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Hester Beck Willis and extend sincer condolences to the members of her family: to her sons, Dr. T. Bradford Willis and David Parker Willis, Sr., and his wife, Carol; to her grandchildren, David Parker Willis, Jr., and Laura Anne Willis; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Hester Beck Willis. Dunnam ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2541 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 31, 2009. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House