Jack Willis Jr.
Jack Willis Jr., 74, of Thorndale, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at St. David’s Hospital in Round Rock.
Visitation will be Monday, July 5, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale with Pastor Scott Schaller officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Thorndale.
Jack was born June 10, 1947, in Athens, Tenn., to Flora Lou (Bohannon) and Jack Matlock Willis Sr. Growing up, Jack was in Boy Scouts where he advanced to an Eagle Scout and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He graduated from the University of Texas and received his Master’s Degree from Southwest Texas State University.
On March 7, 1981, he and Sharon Richter were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Austin. He taught and coached at Crockett High School in Austin, retiring after 20 years. They moved from Oak Hill to Thorndale in 1998, and he went back to work coaching football, basketball and track at Thorndale High School and then basketball with St. Paul Lutheran School in Thorndale.
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, served on St. Paul School Board for many years, a past City Council and Mayor Pro-tem and an associate member of Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed hiking, biking, snow skiing, camping at Rockport, fishing, taking care of his vehicles and loved keeping them clean and detailed. Also, his love for dancing, especially polka and photography and the many pictures he had.
One of his best memories was coaching the St. Paul Championship Boys Basketball Team.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Surviving is his wife of 40 years, Sharon Willis of Thorndale; daughter, Emily Niemtschk and husband Brook of Thorndale; brothers, Larry Willis and wife Barbara of Waco, Michael Willis and wife Teresa of San Antonio, and Paul Willis and wife Pam of Leander; sister, Sandi Day of Hutto; two grandchildren, Emma and Lyle Creek Niemtschk; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The 2014 St. Paul Boy’s State Basketball Champion Team will serve as his pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Build the Vision Fund, P.O. Box 369, Thorndale, Texas 76577 or Thorndale Athletics Booster Club, P.O. Box 53, Thorndale, Texas 76577.