Donald Varner Willis

May 23, 2010
Funeral for Donald Varner Willis, 83, of Decatur was Wed., May 26, at 1 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dallas Culver officiating.
Burial was in Greenview Memorial park in Florence with full military honors.
Mr. Willis died Sun., May 23, 2010, at his residence with his loving wife of 16 years, Ruth Long Willis by his side. He was born Jan. 8, 1927, in Sylvester, Ga., and joined the Navy in 1944. He retired in 1971 after proudly serving his country for 26 years. After military retirement he was successful in several business ventures. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was loved by everyone who knew him. He attended Austinville United Methodist Church of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years, Carolyn Bankston Willis; his parents, William A. and Eunice West Willis; three brothers, Henry Ray Willis, Kenyon Willis and William A. Willis; and a sister, Mary Willis Huff.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Long Willis of Decatur; a son, Al Willis and wife Karen of Tuscumbia; a daughter, Pamela Sue Willis Maxwell of Tuscumbia; three stepchildren, Janet Millsap and husband Martin of Hartselle, Judy Welborn and husband Sandy of Falkville and Pamela Siniard and husband Stuart of Madison; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Stephen Farris, Sandy Welborn, Zachary Willis, Mat Blevins, Greg Bankston and Ronnie Dains.
The family expressed their appreciation to Dr. Greg Cheatham, Dr. Francis Moss and Hospice of North Alabama.