Joan Diane Willis

Joan Diane Willis obituary, Columbia, TN

Joan Diane Willis

Joan Willis Obituary

Visit the Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC - Columbia website to view the full obituary.

Joan Diane Willis, age 69, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at St. Thomas West.

Born on July 23, 1956, in Haines City, Florida, Joan was the daughter of the late Lewis Phillips and the late Joyce Flinchum Phillips. She was the former owner of Express Door & Trim and most recently worked as a paralegal. Joan had a deep love for animals, especially horses, and was an accomplished barrel racer who earned many accolades throughout the years. She also enjoyed spending time scalloping.

She is survived by her children, Chad Freeman, Kimberly Terrell, Kyle (Miriam Valenzuela) Willis, grandchildren, Paige (Dillon) Hudson, Hunter (Sabrina Wolford) O’Hara, Johnny (Sara) Luster, Colin Terrell, Kirstyn Freeman, Gabriel Freeman, Peyton Freeman, Ethan Brown, Kloe Willis, and great grandchildren, Aleyah O’Hara, Axell O’Hara, Brantley Huhdson, and Olivia Luster.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Willis, brother, Roger Phillips, and great grandson, Mason O’Hara.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC - Columbia

609 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401

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