Obituary of Betty A. Willis

Betty A. Willis, 93, of 1119 Pennsylvania Ave. West in Warren, formerly of Sugar Grove, PA, passed away Monday, July 13, 2015 in Warren General Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born May 21, 1922 in Dunkirk, NY, a daughter of the late Dewey L. and Nellie Gibbs Winchell, Sr. and was a 1940 graduate of Fredonia High School. In earlier years, she had been employed by Cards Restaurant in Fredonia, Fredonia Seed Factory and by Weber Knapp in Jamestown. She had also worked as a house keeper and a helper to many people. Betty was a former member of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church and the Sugar Grove Senior Center, where she had received awards for the highest number of volunteered hours. She was presently a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Warren. Betty will be remembered by all who knew her as being cheerful and willing to help everyone. She loved spending as much time as possible with her family. She also loved camping until recently, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and playing Bingo. In earlier years, Betty enjoyed making quilts, knitting and crocheting things for her whole family. Surviving are four children: Claudia Shaw and Patricia (Stan) Ferry, both of Jamestown, Larry (Peggy) Willis of Warren, with whom she made her home since 2006, and a step-daughter, Janet Brown of Provo, Utah; ten grandchildren: Richard (Debbi) Shaw of Roberts, IL, Jessica (Tyler) Holmes of Jamestown, Michael (Ashley) Ferry of Jamestown, Larry (Missy) Willis, Jr. of Corry, PA, Becky (Scott) Dutchess of Scandia, PA, and Scott, Robin & Mike Frary, Linda Ferry and Theresa Covington, all of Provo, UT; and great-grandchildren: Mark (Ashley), Jeffery & Tiffany Shaw, Lexi Holmes, Kayden Ferry, Jessica (Azzab) Haskins, Timothy & Ryan Willis, Branden & Brittany Dutchess, Kaitlyn & Hope Bordenga, as well as many more in Utah. She is also survived by numerous great- great-grandchildren; two sisters, Florence Gens and Laura Reed, both of Jamestown; a brother, Dewey Winchell, Jr. of Fredonia; and many nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse C. Willis whom she married December 5, 1942 in Dunkirk, NY and who died October 4, 1953; two brothers, Walter and Francis Winchell; grandson, Steven Frary; great-grandson, Connor Brooks; son-in-law, Jerrold Shaw; and sister-in-law, Liz Winchell. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. Pastor Rich Pearson of Grace United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren, Pa. 16365; or to a Humane Society of choice.