A.M. Willis

Born Achille Murat Willis Jr. on October 9, 1916, in Richmond, Virginia, Monk Willis Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on January 14, 2011. Mr. Willis was graduated from Washington & Lee University and Harvard Graduate School of Bus ines s Administration. He served in the United States Navy from 1942-46, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander, after which he began and operated an insurance business in Longview, Texas, for some 25 years. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968. A friend and advisor to President Lyndon Johnson, he was personally requested to accompany Mrs. Johnson back to East Texas upon the death of her father. Monk had a strong interest in the community, where he served as president of Longview Civic Music Association, chairman of Longview Planning & Zoning Commission, chairman of Nicholson Memorial Library, chairman of Longview Mental Health Association, president of Longview Museum and Arts Center, chairman of Gregg County Red Cross and a director of Gregg County United Fund. He was also past director of Texas State Commission on Mental Health and Texas Commi s s ion for Bet ter Schools and past chairman of Texas Committee of Governing Boards. A champion of higher education, Mr. Willis served on the Board of Regents of North Texas State University from 1965 to 1983, serving as the chairman of the board for 10 years. In honor of his service on the board of the University of North Texas, they named their library the A.M. Willis Jr. Library. In 1972, Monk joined the staff of the Honorable Ray Roberts, United States congressman from the 4th Congressional District of Texas, serving as his administrative assistant until 1976 when Mr. Willis was appointed staff di r e c t o r o f the Hous e Veterans' Affairs Committee. He remained in Washington until he retired in 1983, moving back to Longview at that time. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Frances, who died in 1995. Her loving loyalty to family and her service as the first director of Sabine Valley MHMR Center was a source of great pride. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy Willis of Houston, Elizabeth Kackley and her husband, Rick, of Plano, and Mary Tabor and her husband, John, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and his favorite granddog, Murphy. Throughout his life and especially during his final illness, his daughters exemplified the very personification of love and devotion as they cared for their father. He is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth Willis Hill of Philadelphia; nieces, Emmie Hill-Minter, Julie Campbell- Hill and Alice Starr-Hill, and their families. His extended "family" included Judge Robert Parker and Judge T. John Ward and their families. The friendships of those who came into his life were a treasure he cherished. Those individuals became Monk's "family." Intellectually honest to the highest degree, he was a lover of books, reciter of poetry and a tireless advocate for civility among all mankind. In 2005, he was honored with the first Unity Award from Longview's Race Relations Committee. He was a trusted advisor to congressmen, and as comfortable dining with presidents as the common man at the local diner. He was oft to say to those who might treat him to lunch, "Thanks for being kind to old people; you make a difference in my life." Monk Willis was kind to all people and made a difference in all the lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, anyone caring to do so may make any memorial to the A.M. Willis Jr. Scholarship Fund, Office of developement, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311250, Denton, Texas 76203. Services will be noon Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at Longview Presbyterian Church

A.M. Willis

October 9, 1916 - January 14, 2011