Dorthy Ann Willis

Dorthy Ann Willis was born on May 27, 1939, in Mesa, Arizona. At the time of her birth, her family was living in Pine, Arizona, in a log cabin built by her father. Because there were no doctors in Pine, her mother traveled to Mesa for her delivery. Those humble beginnings reflected the strength, resilience, and devotion to family that would characterize Dorthy's life.

In 1944, when Dorthy was five years old, her family moved from Pine to Joseph City, Arizona. The journey was long and dusty, traveling over rough dirt roads common to that era. Dorthy attended Joseph City Elementary School until 1954, when the family moved again-this time to Winslow, Arizona. She attended Winslow High School and graduated in 1957. Later that same year, Dorthy began her education at Brigham Young University. Like many students of her time, she lived simply, sharing rent with six other young women while working hard to support her schooling. During the summer of 1959, she was employed as a medical records librarian in Winslow, earning money for her education. That summer proved life-changing when she met the love of her life, Lloyd Willis, at her sister Rita's mission farewell. Their connection was immediate, and Lloyd soon proposed. Dorthy and Lloyd were married on September 23rd 1960, beginning a beautiful marriage that lasted 65 wonderful years as of September 23rd of this year.

Lloyd and Dorthy soon moved to Phoenix Arizona and together they raised five children: Lon, Bill, Deena, Kevin, and Anne. Their home was further blessed when they became foster parents to a Navajo girl named Nona, who became like a daughter to them and a beloved sibling to their children. In the early years of her marriage, Dorthy devoted herself fully to her family as a hardworking homemaker. Later, she became a certified nurse assistant and lovingly cared for a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She also worked giving Phoenix city tours for a local tour company, enjoying the opportunity to meet people and share history.

Service and faith were central to Dorthy's life. In 2003, she and Lloyd served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Martin's Cove in Wyoming. There, they helped thousands of youth experience and understand the real challenges faced by the handcart companies along the Mormon Trail. After serving two additional missions, Dorthy and Lloyd eventually moved to Utah to live with their daughter Anne and her family, as Dorthy's Alzheimer's progressed and Lloyd needed help caring for her. Five months ago, Dorthy moved into a memory care facility called Covington, where she was warmly welcomed and lovingly cared for. She made several friends there and stayed busy with the activities and companionship provided by the dedicated staff.

Dorthy Ann Willis passed away peacefully on December 30th at 3:03 a.m. She will be remembered for her deep love of family, her faith, her spirit of service, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the family she cherished so dearly.

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