Carl Willis

Carl Lester Willis, 82 years of age, of Round Rock, Texas, passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Round Rock Medical Center in Texas. He was born Jan. 1, 1943, in Paragould, to Carl Timothy Willis and Viva Boyd Willis.

He is survived by his wife, Charla Valentine Willis; brother, Charles Willis and wife Barbara; son, Greg Willis and wife Peggy; daughter, Laura Jones and husband Jeremy; and grandchildren, Connor Willis, Brooks Jones and Harper Jones, as well as beloved nephews and nieces.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Carl T. Willis and Viva Willis; his older sister, Lou Nell Willis; and younger sister, Ann Bugg and her husband Lon.

He received his undergraduate degree at Ouachita Baptist University in Political Science and Philosophy. He received his master's degree at the University of Missouri in Journalism. He moved to Hattiesburg to become an associate professor of Journalism in the Department of Communications at the University of Southern Mississippi. While in Hattiesburg, Carl married Charla Valentine in 1970. The couple moved to Memphis, where Carl worked at The Commercial Appeal as a managing editor on the copy desk.

In 1978, the couple moved to Laurel, Miss., to help manage Marcus Furniture, and opened the Good Morning Mattress Center in Hattiesburg. In 2010, the couple moved to Austin, Texas, to continue working in the furniture business and to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Carl professed his life to Christ at an early age and served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Laurel. Carl enjoyed tending to his flowerbeds, cooking and grilling, and watching college football and basketball, but his life truly centered on his children and grandchildren. Nothing mattered more to him than being present for them. He found his greatest joy in selflessly devoting his time to his family, taking care of school pickups and practices for the grandchildren and being a constant presence at their performances and events – never arriving without snacks in hand.

Memorial service arrangements will be handled by Colonial Chapel in Laurel, with Ronney Joe Webb officiating. Additional service details are currently incomplete.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Samaritan's Purse or Hill Country Christian School of Austin. Carl will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.