Tyner Evans Willis

Funeral services for Tyner Evans Willis, 77, of Huntington will be held Monday, January 20, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church in Lufkin with Brother Jim Housley officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow in Huntington Cemetery.

Mr. Willis was born October 5, 1947 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Annie Laurie (Montgomery) and Dillard Odell Willis, and died Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in a local nursing home.

He met the love of his life, Melva, at the age of 12, and they were married June 12, 1965. He graduated from Bethany High School, Bethany, Oklahoma, Class of 1966 and was drafted into the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Division (1967-1969). After returning to Oklahoma City having served overseas in Germany, he began raising a family while working at Honeywell. In 1973 he relocated his family to Huntington, Texas where he began a 35-year career at Texas Foundries in the maintenance department starting in 1974 until it closed in 2009. He then worked for PineCrest Retirement Community in Lufkin for 9 more years.

He worked hard to provide for his family, always putting them first, instilling them with Christian values while faithfully serving in the church. He was ordained as a deacon at Huntington First Baptist Church in 1980, where he served for 17 years. He also served as deacon at Highway Missionary Baptist Church for 12 years before serving at Heritage Baptist Church since 2009. He loved spending time with family, including being “Papa” to his grandkids and great-grandkids. He also enjoyed reading and writing poetry, deer hunting, and riding motorcycles.

Survivors include his wife of 59 1/2 years, Melva (Butts) Willis of Huntington; children and spouses, Sean and Melissa Willis, Tyanna Kay and Terry Bowers, and Stephen and Kathy Willis, all of Huntington; grandchildren and spouses, Jeremy and Alaina Bowers, Hunter Willis, Erin and Trent Barrios, Josh and Courtney Bowers, Dylan Willis, Mayghan Willis, and Brianna Willis; great-grandchildren, Samuel Bowers, Lillian Bowers, Jameson Barrios, and Silas Barrios; sister, Barbara Timmons of Fulton, Mississippi; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Carolyn Ivy and Evie Criswell.

Pallbearers will be Sean Willis, Stephen Willis, Terry Bowers, Jeremy Bowers, Hunter Willis, and Josh Bowers.

Honorary pallbearer will be Dylan Willis.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Visiting Angel Natasha Melton, as well as the staffs of Harbor Hospice and Southland Nursing Home for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Baptist Church, 1910 S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at Carroway Funeral Home in Huntington.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Huntington, directors.