Shirley Mae Willis of Dallas, Texas, passed away on April 21, 2023, at the age of 94. She was born on June 1, 1928, to Earl B. and Coral Jane (Hendricks) Clarke in West Lafayette, Indiana. Shirley graduated high school from Boston Academy in Boston, Massachusetts, and earned a diploma in nursing from the New England Sanitarium and Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts. She loved nursing and retired at the age of 83 after 60 years in the profession. She also loved long walks and working in her garden. She married Charles D. Willis on January 28, 1951, in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
Shirley is survived by her children, Carol J. Willis of Dallas, Texas, Nan Cameron and Shawn Scott of Canal Winchester, Ohio, John J. Willis, MD and wife, Starla of Dallas, Texas and Sarah L. Fowler and Zach Fowler, MD of Knoxville, Tennessee; grandchildren: Sean-Michael Scott, and wife Kelly and son, Oliver, Joshua Willis and wife, Karen, Daniel Willis and Michael Willis, Will Fowler and Luke Fowler; sister, Joyce Cady of Lafayette, New York; nieces and nephews, Jann Cady RN Mark Cady, MD and wife, Risé, Beth Burghardt, MD and husband Fred, David Cady and wife, Lira, Jeff Cady and wife, Betsy; and a host of other loving family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles D. Willis, MD; son, James C. Willis; parents, Earl B. and Coral J. Clarke; and brother-in law, Duane Cady, MD.