Byron Lee Willis

BYRON LEE WILLIS fought a courageous 6-year battle with Vascular Parkinsonism and most recently Dementia. On June 24 he suffered a stroke that left him unable to walk or speak. Byron wanted so much to get better and put all his strength into his rehabilitation. However, on August 13 at the age of 74 the Lord gave him rest and he passed peacefully while under Hospice care.

Byron is survived by his wife, J. P. Willis, sister Karen Roberson and niece Nikki Roberson of Morton, Texas, and Brother-in-law Jack Kyer and niece Grace Kyer of Reno, Nevada.

Byron was born in Enid, Oklahoma but became a Texan when adopted by Byron and Oma Willis of Morton, TX. Morton High School kept Byron busy. He was a respected Drum Major in the marching band, played basketball on the varsity team which made all district. Add to that the National Honor Society, Senior Class President, school newsletter reporter and photographer for the senior year book.

Byron always had a passion for photography but especially black and white film photos. Taking macro photographs of flowers was what he loved the most. Byron knew both the technical and lighting sides of photography and could sell a camera to anyone. His advice to new salesmen was "Ask a question. Shut up and listen." Worked every time. What most people did not realize, Byron was also an excellent photographer. One of his most beautiful photographs is of the interior of a century-old cathedral from a trip to Portugal.

Byron changed gears and success followed him as General Manager of George Keeling Buick in Levelland. But photography was still in his blood and in 1984 he moved from a town of 10,000 people to Houston where he learned even more about the industry at Southwestern Camera. His dream was to become a manufacturer's representative in the photo industry. Byron then had an opportunity to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma as General Manager of Knox Camera where he remained until it closed in 1989. Byron and JP moved back to Houston where his dream of being a manufacturer's representative finally came true.

In October, 1985 Byron met J. P. Willis and before the evening ended, they had made Thanksgiving plans and the rest was history. In 1986 they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and on December 10, 1988 they were married at their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma surrounded by family and friends. They would be celebrating 37 years of marriage this year.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 6 at 2 pm at First Baptist Church of Richmond, 502 S. 5th Street, Richmond, TX 77469.

To honor Byron's memory, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Richmond.