Theo “Ted” Creighton Willis, 71, died Wednesday surrounded by family at his home in Lubbock, Texas.
Willis was born May 24, 1945, in Big Spring, Texas, to Theo “Red” & Dorothy Irene Willis. The eldest of three children, Willis was a natural-born, selfless leader who led an exemplary life of service to others. Willis grew up in Abilene, Texas, where he was an all-star baseball player for the Eagles, and where he met and later married his childhood sweetheart, Sondra Kay Spradley, on January 21, 1967.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Economics and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas. After graduate school, he launched his esteemed professional career in the State of Texas Governor’s Office where he served under Governors Preston Smith and Dolph Briscoe before entering a life of public service in city management in cities including Pharr, Richardson, Grand Prairie, and Longview. His reputation as an effective leader led him back to Austin where he served as Executive Director of the Texas Municipal League, lobbying on behalf of Texas cities. Willis later returned to the DFW Metroplex to serve as President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce where he worked in concert with former President George W. Bush to develop The Ballpark in Arlington. Willis spent many a day cheering on his beloved Texas Rangers and was thrilled to be present for Nolan Ryan’s glorious 7th no-hitter. An avid outdoorsman, Willis loved nothing more than to be casting a line in the water and hunting dove or wild turkey.Beyond his love of Texas and the great outdoors, Willis was a loyal and loving family man. He lived a life of action that reflected his commitment to those he cherished.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Sondra Willis; his eldest daughter Wendy Baldwin and son-in-law Dr. Nevan Baldwin of Lubbock; daughter and son-in-law Tiffany and David Abbott of Lubbock; son and daughter-in-law Cory and Leigh Ann Willis of Austin; grandchildren Truman Creighton and Harper Leigh Roberts of Lubbock, and Lawson and Logan Abbott of Lubbock; sister and brother-in-law Karen Willis and Charles Fisk of Dallas; brother and sister-in-law Larry and Treva Spradley of Wichita Falls; along with a long list of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Willis is predeceased by his parents Red and Dorothy Willis, and his younger sister Carol Lee Willis.
The family would like to thank Ted’s private nurse, Elvira Perez of Lubbock, for her dignified and tireless caretaking and endless patience for his wry sense of humor.
We lost a GIANT of a man, who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for generations to come. Gone Fishin’!