Willa Mary Dunlap Peek was born on the banks of the San Antonio River at the Nix Hospital on August 22, 1942 to Gladys and William Dunlap. Willa Mary was a proud Texan and servant leader of the Alamo city for most of her adult life. She passed away after living with Alzheimer’s for the past few years on March 21, 2015. Mrs. Peek was raised in San Antonio graduating from Jefferson High School in 1960. After high school, Willa received a violin scholarship to attend Baylor University where she earned a bachelors in Mathematics and was active in the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Upon graduation she taught Mathematics in the Waco ISD, NEISD (Roosevelt HS), Spring ISD, Smithville ISD, SAISD (Jefferson HS), and TMI. She was a Mathematics teacher for over 30 years and later earned her Master’s in Education Administration from TAMU Kingsville. Willa Mary also worked at PREP during the summers, the renowned mathematics intervention program for middle and high school students.
Willa Mary was an active member in many genealogical and other organizations throughout her lifetime. Her ancestor, Stephen Williams can be found at the Battle of New Orleans (1814) and the Battle of Bexar (1835). Willa held various offices in the DRT (Daughters of the Republic of Texas), DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Daughters of the War of 1812, the United Daughters of the Confederacy and several other organizations. She was also Chairman of the Pilgrimage to the Alamo during Fiesta for many years from the 1990’s to 2007.
She was an avid reader, gardener, and lover of classical music. Willa Mary was a very passionate, put together lady who loved her family, her heritage and the city she represented so often. Her vibrant red hair and fiery attitude could still be felt even when she left the room.
Willa Mary is survived by her husband, Dr. Darwin E. Peek; daughter, Susan Smith Kempf and her husband, Bill and their children, Amelia, Liam, Patrick, and Lleyton; step-children, Peggy Peek, Penny Peek-Davis and David Peek; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and many loving friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough, San Antonio, Texas. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at Oakhill Cemetery in Smithville, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday evening at the mortuary.