Dr. Phyllis Willis, 69, of Vian, passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, in
Fort Smith, Ark. She was a retired educator, a graduate of Vian High
School and received her bachelors and masters degrees from Northeastern
State University in Tahlequah and her doctorate from the University of
Tulsa. She was the founder of the Living Literature Center at
Northeastern State University. She directed and coordinated literary
tours to Europe since 1981. She began her teaching career at Vian
Schools in 1957 and at NSU in 1968 where she was an English professor
and former department head. She retired in 1995 but was still the
college representative for entry year teachers. She was currently
working as a federal programs consultant with Westville Public Schools
and had been in that capacity for the last five years. She was active in
her church in the adult and youth programs and she served as elder at
the Community of Christ Church in Blackgum.
Survivors include her husband, Bill Willis of the home; one daughter and
son-in-law, Cynthia and Kelvin Jamison of Sallisaw; one son and
daughter-in-law, Dr. Bill Willis and Cindy Willis of Poteau; one
brother, Neal Pack of Blackgum; seven grandchildren, Mark Willis, Tori
Willis, Sarah Jamison, Kelsey Jamison, Trey Weaver, Kelsey Weaver and
Megan Weaver; and two great-grandchildren, Maci Cunningham and Hailey
Weaver.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Vian High School
Auditorium in Vian. Burial will follow in the Pack Family Cemetery at
Blackgum under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Sallisaw.
Pallbearers will be Larry Couch, Trey Weaver, Marc Willis, Coy Willis,
John Willis and Paul Willis.
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