Betty J. Willis was born Sept. 25, 1948, in Talladega, Alabama. She entered eternal rest Feb. 4, 2026, at the age of 77. Betty was a graduate of Tolleston High School and spent mostly all of her life in Gary, Indiana, before moving to Avon, Indiana, in her later years. Gary was where she built her home, raised her children, and formed lasting relationships. On Sept. 20, 1968, she married Claude Willis Jr. Together, they welcomed two daughters, Stranda and Kiresha. Betty was a woman defined by confidence, resilience, and unwavering determination. Stubborn by her own honest admission, she faced life directly, stood firmly in her convictions, and lived authentically. Once she set her mind to something, she pursued it with purpose and resolve. In her younger years, Betty found joy and community on the bowling lanes, proudly competing in a league throughout her 30s. Bowling was more than a hobby. It was a space where her competitive spirit, humor, and love of connection came alive. At home, she found peace in gardening, tending to her plants with the same care, patience, and persistence she brought to every part of her life. Betty will be remembered for her strength, steady presence, and the quiet ways she showed love through action. Her spirit was unyielding, her character unmistakable, and her legacy endures in the lives of all who were shaped by her example. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vera and Ludie Boyd Sr.; her husband, Claude Willis Jr.; and her sister, Marie Paige. Betty is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Stranda James (Ronald) and Kiresha Chandler; seven cherished grandchildren, Jonathan, Chloe, Isaiah, Victoria, Quran, Jynesis, and Mecca; seven great-grandchildren; sisters Carolyn Clark (the late Bradley) and Sylverita James (Kenneth); brothers Tyrone Boyd (Dawn), Alonzo Welford (Cheryl), James Welford, and Ludie Boyd Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. Visitation Tuesday February 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. funeral service 11:00 a.m. at Mizpah Seventh Day Adventist Church 2350 Jefferson St. Gary, IN 46407. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park, Hobart, IN.
