Carl "Curtis" Willis

Memorial services for Carl "Curtis" Willis, 65, of Diboll will be held Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Greene and Brother Bob Harbuck officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Curtis passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013 surrounded by family at his residence. Curtis was the youngest of three children, born June 14, 1947 in Lufkin, Texas to Mitchell Willis and Mary Lee (Martin) Willis.

Curtis was a lifetime resident of Diboll and retired from Temple Inland after 42 years of employment. As an avid outdoorsman, Curtis enjoyed many years of hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. Curtis was an active member of Wakefield Fire Tower Hunting Club. Those that knew Curtis will miss his one of a kind sense of humor, rug cuttin', cold beer drankin', and "Shug" callin' nature. Curtis' favorite past time was riding his grandkids on his motorized scooter, with a big smile on his face. Curtis was a Christian and believed his greatest legacy is his 6 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Curtis, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, leaves the following loved ones to cherish his memory: his loving and dedicated wife, Maye Willis of Diboll; his children he was so proud of, Rodney Carl Willis and wife Candy of Deer Park, Patricia Lynn Matchett and husband Jerry of Huntington, Curtice Haley of Panama City, Florida, Tanjela Finch and husband Bryan of Central, Tamela Snider and Nicole Brantley of Lufkin, and Beamon Snider and wife Teresa of Lufkin. He was an adoring grandfather and great-grandfather to grandson Kyle Willis and wife Sommer of Huntington, great-grand Paetyn; granddaughters Makayla and Makenlee Willis of Deer Park; granddaughter Curstin Jones and husband Colton of Huntington, great-grand arriving in September; granddaughter Caydence Smith and husband Robert of Deer Park, great-grand Chandler; grandchildren Hailey and Chandler Pippen of Panama City, Florida; granddaughters Taylor and Taryn Finch of Central; grandchildren Kaylee and Maddox Snider of Lufkin; brother, Jerry Mack Willis of Lufkin; sister, Judy Gay Smith of Bastrop; nephews, Todd Willis of Diboll, Jerry Willis of Central, and Kevin Smith of Bastrop; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by both parents.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jaye Haley, Morgan Haley II, Joe Arriola, Bobby Conner, Charles Wayne Coleman, Wayne Wright, Jimmy Dale Jones, Keith and Robert Filemon, and past and present members of the Wakefield Fire Tower Hunting Club.

The family extends special thanks to Dr. Karnati and staff, Dr. Benetiz, Dr. A. Cheriyan, Dr. Reddy, A Compassionate Care Home Health and staff, PT Jason Minguez, Heart to Heart Hospice and staff, Memorial Hospital ICU and 6th floor Specialty Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to help defray medical expenses to First Bank & Trust East Texas, account number 8621350, Carl "Curtis" Willis Fund.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening prior to the memorial services.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.