(September 13, 1960—April 17, 2016)
Mark Adrain Willis began his earthly journey in Midland, Texas, September 13, 1960, born to Alice Watkins and Adrain Leroy Willis. He returned to his Heavenly Father on April 17, 2016, at his home in Stephenville, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. True to his warrior spirit, he fought cancer to the throw-down end.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 20th at Cowboy Church of Erath County with Werth Mayes officiating. Burial will follow at Corinth Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at Stephenville Funeral Home
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laura Howle Willis; daughter, Emilye Willis; son, Matt Willis and girlfriend, Mollie Fullagar, Stephenville; and Jace Willis of the home; mother and stepfather, Alice and Glenn Janoe, Antlers, Oklahoma; sister, Michelle Willis, Fort Towson, Oklahoma; and brother and sister-in-law, Miles and Jennifer Willis, Lawn, Texas; in-laws, Junior and Allene Howle, Stephenville, Texas; and brother-in-law, Johnny and Jan Howle, Lingleville, Texas.
Mark attended Wylie High School, Abilene, Texas, and excelled there in track, being the first Wylie student in 32 years to advance to Regional Track competition in Lubbock, Texas. A graduate of Tarleton State University, class of 1984, he received a Bachelor of Science-Industrial Engineering. One week after his graduation, he married his heart’s adoration, Laura Howle.
Mark was a partner in Tri-W Enterprises in Stephenville, Texas, spending five years in the metal building industry, completing government contracts. For 24 years, the dairy-industry was his trade, spending the years at Pecan Creek Dairy with his father-in-law, Junior Howle. Beginning in 2005, Mark realized the culmination of his life’s dream by establishing his own business, Bosque Flats Diesel and Machine Shop on Hwy 8 near Lingleville. Specializing in diesel performance, Mark applied his inventive mind to create solutions for all manner of unique mechanical challenges. Grownup boys left his place of business enthralled by their reborn truck toys. “The shirt off his back” could have been his mantra. He gave of himself and asked nothing in return. Young men used him as their father figure.
His love for antique tractors was evident in his membership in the Stephenville Antique Tractor Club and his partnership in HWH Pulling Sled with Jeff Holveck and Gary Henderson. Listed among his survivors should be members of antique tractor clubs across the state and in neighboring states. You boys know who you are. No doubt he is advising Saint Peter about the matter of a better, more efficient hinge for the Golden Gates.
Hunting or fishing with his brother, Miles, or his buddies or his family were high on his list of life’s pleasures. A book could be written of their misadventures that provided many a hoot for storytime. His humor was legend and his pranks hilarious. Teaching archery and shooting sports filled his spare time as he worked with 4-H kids for 16 years.
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