CHARLES DARNÉY WILLIS, 95, of Springdale, passed from the bounds of his mortal
life on December 15, 2016.
He was born on February 28, 1921, in Cassville, Mo., the first child and only son of Charles and Pearl Willis.
Charles continued the legacy of industry modeled by his parents, who built the Willis Insurance Agency in Cassville. He
applied his hand in the field of building construction and design, leaving his own legacy
in wood, stone, and brick, and in the lives of those he trained to become successful
builders.
Charles graduated from John Brown University (JBU) in Siloam Springs, Ark., with a
degree in Vocational Education (B.S., 1942); Building Construction was his chosen
teaching field. While teaching as a post graduate in John Brown's junior school program,
he met Clara Louise Gehron, a senior at JBU. The couple married in 1946 in Clara's
hometown of Montezuma, Ohio, and settled in Siloam Springs, where Charles took a
staff position with JBU. Charles and Clara were blessed with enduring love; they were
married for 66 years.
Combining coursework completed at the University of Cincinnati and at the University of
Arkansas in Fayetteville (UAF), Charles earned a five-year degree in architecture
(B.Arch., 1954) from UAF, where he studied under the guidance of renowned architect
Fay Jones. He served as Head of the Department of Building Construction at JBU from
1954 until his retirement in 1986. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Charles
contributed to the design and supervision of multiple construction projects on the JBU
campus, including the sanctuary paneling and furnishings for the Cathedral of the
Ozarks, the Library Building, and the Science Building. Under his leadership, JBU joined
the Associated Schools of Construction. He authored the book Blueprint Reading for
Commercial Construction, which was published in 1979.
Charles merged imagination and technical acumen in his designs, as seen in his
personal residences. His post and beam home in Siloam Springs exhibited exposed
redwood beams, sandstone, and vertical-grooved siding on the exterior; the interior
featured wood parquet, rose-colored concrete flooring in scored squares, and a sunken
shower. His retirement home at Lost Bridge Village near Beaver Lake was a novel hybrid
of natural and man-made materials. A cave-like rock outcropping on a corner property
was incorporated into the building's structure; the upper story was at street level; the
lower story and the connected garage were earth-covered. The rock-shielded portion of
the home had a moderating effect on internal temperatures, cooling in summer and
warming in winter.
While living at Lost Bridge, Charles did design and drafting work for Village residents. He
was commissioned to draw the building plans for Whitney Mountain Chapel, which
overlooks Beaver Lake. From 1991 to 1994, Charles served on the Lost Bridge Village
Community Association's Board of Trustees, including a term as president (1992–1994).
For the Lost Bridge Village Water and Sewer District, he served as a commissioner from
1994 until 2005, chairing the board of commissioners for the bulk of his tenure (1995–
2005). He was a member of the Benton/Washington Regional Public Water Authority
(Two-Ton Board), which addressed a widespread need for accessible, potable water in
rural communities of Northwest Arkansas.
Springing from his strong Christian faith, Charles offered his professional expertise to
Christian organizations. He was a Founding Trustee with Missionary TECH Team of
Longview, Texas, and held full Trustee status for 23 years. He served on the board of
New Life Ranch, a Christian youth camp in Colcord, Okla., for 18 years, providing
administrative leadership and design services for building projects at the camp.
Charles and Clara were affiliated with the Independent Christian Church; they joined the
Rogers Christian Church in 1987. Charles created wood furnishings for the church and
enjoyed singing in the choir; he also served as a choir director. His life verses were I
Corinthians 3:10, 11: "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise
master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be
careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which
is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Charles is survived by his two sons, Darnéy and wife Norma Jean Willis, and Chris L.
and wife Valarie Willis, all of Siloam Springs; a daughter, Suzan J. (Willis) Holt, of
Garfield; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death
by his wife, Clara Louise (Gehron) Willis, and his sister, Emma Sue (Willis) Cooper.
A celebration of Charles' life and legacy will be held at the Rogers Christian Church,
2501 West Oak Street, on Wednesday, December 28, at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at
Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, Mo. Memorials may be given to the Charles Willis
Endowed Scholarship at JBU. Arrangements are under the direction of the Backstrom-
Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign
an online guest book.
