James L. "J.L." Willis
Lawn, Texas

James L. "J. L." Willis, 78, died Tuesday, November 10, 2009, in an Abilene hospital. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2009, in Dewey Cemetery, directed by Fry-Bartlett Funeral Home in Tuscola. Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2009, at the funeral home.

J. L. was born December 24, 1930, in Content in Runnels County to Avery and Sarah Hefley Willis. Following his graduation from Lawn High School, he began working for El Paso Natural Gas Company. He worked in gas plants in Crane and Goldsmith, retiring in 1985 as a plant operator after 37 years with the company and returned to Lawn the same year. He married Josephine 'Jo' Avalos January 19, 1983, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Jo; two sisters; and one grandson.

Survivors include four daughters, Myghan Willis and Ashley Crabb, both of Abilene, Debra Eschberger of Gatesville, and Jennifer Eschberger of Abilene; three sons, Walter Eschberger of Tye, Ronnie Willis of Round Rock, and Randy Willis of Woodward, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.