Jim D. Wills was
born on September 21, 1934 in Vinita, OK to Brook and Jessie (Cox)
Wills. He passed from this life on October 18, 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma
at the age of 72 years & 27 days.
Jim was a
retired school superintendent and a lifelong educator and coach. A
graduate of Vinita High School and Northeastern State University, he
began his coaching and teaching career in Carterville, Missouri. He then
spent the next dozen years in several Oklahoma schools, including
Hominy, Coalgate and Skiatook, before becoming principal at Skiatook
High School. While there he became the assistant superintendent. He
spent the rest of his education career as superintendent of schools at
Chelsea Public Schools and Henryetta Public Schools. He received his
Master's Degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his
principal's and superintendent's certification from Tulsa University.
Following his retirement from public education in 1993, he spent the
next eleven years with Ruth Kelly Studios in school public relations.
Jim's passion was his family, particularly his grandchildren. He enjoyed
watching their sports events. He also loved his church and church
family. He enjoyed fishing, clock making and making cards on his
computer. Jim was the "Big Dog" in the Hungry Dog Society, a group of
close, dear friends who met regularly around the dinner table.
Jim married Jean
Marilyn Ford on January 26, 1957 in Bixby, Oklahoma. They have four
children; Mark, and wife Penny of Skiatook, OK, Julie, and husband Steve
Hunter of Ozark, MO, Derek, and wife Andrea of Skiatook, OK and Amy
Jordan of Chelsea, OK. His nine grandchildren include; Kyle, Kent and
Kendall Wills, Jordan, Spencer and Hayley Hunter, Ben Jordan, and Lexi
and Casey Wills. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers;
J. B. Wills of Hammond, Louisiana and Paul Wills of Phoenix, Arizona. He
is survived by his wife Jean, all four of his children, all nine
grandchildren, and a host of close, loving friends.
In lieu of
flowers, contributions may be made to the New Heart Fellowship Church
Relocation Fund or the Bixby Public Schools Endowment Fund.
Honorary casket
bearers were Joe Gill, Russell Hull, Larry Johnson, Jason Kelly, Robert
Kelly, David Nalley, Jim Newman, Tom Nolan, Enrique Nerio, Cloyd Odell,
Harry Red Eagle, Danne Spurlock, Tom Stiles, Clarence Stull, Bill Weaver
& Jerry Williams.