Evan L. Willis

Evan L. Willis, age 84, of West Frankfort, IL, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon, IL.

He was born on December 11, 1941 in West Frankfort, IL, to Samuel and Ora (Williams) Willis.

He married Lenora Mae Gordon on September 29, 1986 in West Frankfort, IL and together they shared almost 40 years of marriage.

Evan attended lower grades in school in Ewing, IL and high school in Benton, IL where he was a graduate of Benton High School Class of 1959. During high school years, he worked on various farms around the Ewing and Whittington, IL area. For 3 years, Evan worked in a cast iron foundry in Mt. Vernon and later began working at United Parcel Service (UPS) as a delivery driver and later as a semi-truck driver for 31 years until his retirement in 1996.

Evan was formerly a member at Ewing Baptist Church and most recently attended Faith Baptist Church in Benton. He was a member of the Teamster Local Union 710 of Chicago, IL. He enjoyed working on antique cars and working on concrete jobs with Chuck Skuta, Kevin Skuta, Phillip Skuta, Roger Stanley, Mike Boner, Steve Stanley and other friends. Most of all, Evan loved his family and created many wonderful memories with them.

He is survived by his wife, Lenora M. Willis of West Frankfort, IL; son, Devin M. Willis of West Frankfort, IL; daughter, Kimberly Ann Mueller and husband, Michael, of Carbondale, IL; grandchildren, Madison Mueller and Blake Mueller, both of Carbondale, IL; four step-daughters, Leann Brackney of Mattoon, IL, Tina Huston of Peoria, IL, Theresa Stevens and husband, Gary of Oakland, IL, and Victoria Followell of West Frankfort, IL; step-grandchildren, Brittany Brown and husband, Michael of Peoria, IL, Staci Roy and husband, Henry of Peoria, IL, Joni Farris-Morrison and husband, J.C. of Charleston, IL, Devon Stevens and wife, Anna of Charleston, IL, Nathaniel Followell of Altamont, IL, Ariel Followell of New York, NY, and Bianca Burchard and husband, Sam of Decatur, IL; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Roxanne Summers and husband, Chuck, of Robinson, IL and Rita Mary Mathis and husband, Carl of Henton, IL; brothers-in-law, Benjamin Gordon and wife, Karen of Shelbyville, IL, Richard Gordon of Farmington, IN and Thomas Gordon of Arkansas; and several nieces, nephews, other extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Willis; brother-in-law, Leonard Gordon; and a sister-in-law, Juanetta Gordon.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stone Funeral Home, 1201 East Poplar Street, West Frankfort, IL.

A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Faith Baptist Church, located at 14883 Route 34 in Benton, IL, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Following the time of visitation, the funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Steve Flach presiding.

Burial will follow in Williams Chapel Cemetery near Ewing, IL.

For those who prefer, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the "Alzheimer's Association" or the "American Cancer Society." Contribution envelopes will be available at the church or may be mailed c/o Stone Funeral Home, 1201 East Poplar Street, West Frankfort, IL 62896.

For additional information call the funeral home at 932-2161.