Mark Randall Willis was born in Denton, Texas on February 8, 1969 to Patricia and Donald Willis. A year later, his sister Wendy was born. In 1977, his family moved to Garland where he spent the rest of his childhood. Mark attended O’Banion Middle School and graduated from South Garland High School in 1987. He had a love for sports and played football and basketball growing up. Always the life of the party, he made many lifelong friendships along the way.
Mark is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1987. After completion of basic recruit and occupational training as a Mortarman, Mark was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division. Known as “The First Team” 1/7 led the ground assault to liberate Kuwait. He attained the rank of Corporal and his personal decorations include: Combat Action Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as friends and family will attest.
Mark graduated from Southern Methodist University where he became a proud, lifelong Mustang (go, Ponies!). He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing degree from SMU in 1995. Shortly after graduation, Mark met the love of his life, Anella Elizabeth Lewis, and they were married on May 31, 1997. Their daughter, Callie Laneigh, was born in January of 2001. Several years later, on July 5, 2004, they welcomed their son, Cade Randall.
Mark worked in the Insurance industry for many years where he enjoyed a very successful career. He and his wife, Anella achieved one of their lifelong dreams and opened their own business in Plano in 2012. ActiveRX, a physical therapy and strength training center for senior adults, helped many seniors, including Mark’s mom, Anella’s parents, and many family friends.
Mark was a very loving husband to his wife of 22 years and always worked hard so that she could stay home with their children when they were young. He loved being a dad! Mark stayed very involved and supportive to Callie and Cade in all of their endeavors. He enjoyed watching his daughter play volleyball and he was so proud of her academic achievements. Mark found great joy in traveling with Cade for hockey and met many true friends through the DJHA hockey organization.
He is survived by his wife, Anella Willis; daughter, Callie Willis; son, Cade Willis, all of Murphy, Texas; mother, Patricia Willis of Garland, Texas; sister, Wendy Holbrook and her husband Keith of Saginaw, Texas; uncle, Michael Enlow of Denton, Texas; mother and father in law, Bill and Donna Lewis of Wylie, Texas; brother-in-law, Jon Lewis and his wife, Christy; niece, Brigitte; nephew, Nathan all of Murphy; and a number of loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Lee Willis.
Mark was a true warrior to the very end. After a long and courageous two-year battle with colorectal cancer, Mark was called home to be with Jesus on October 6, 2019. His amazing fight, strength and will to live, will forever and always be remembered.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Chase Oaks Church Legacy Campus, 281 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75023. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Tuesday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.