Sharon Leigh Willess' Obituary
Sharon Leigh Stacke Willess resided at 5620 FM 1798 E, Mount Enterprise, Texas (in the Brachfield Community). Sharon was 70 years of age. She peacefully passed from the bonds of this world when God called her home at 11:46 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2018 while at Christus Mother Frances Hospital, Tyler with her husband Dennis at her side and many family members near her bed. She was born in Minneapolis MN, Dec. 2, 1947, to mother: Betty Jean Ohlsen Stacke and father: Nicholas Lanning Stacke .
She spent her early years in Minnesota. After graduating high school, Sharon attended College. She completed flight school and attained her pilot’s license. Settling in Tyler Texas in the 1980s, she operated her own computer consulting business for several years. She taught various subjects at Tyler Christian Fellowship School and Tyler Junior College, both at Tyler. Before teaching, Sharon was active in the early years of the space exploration research program. She loved children, teaching, playing games with family and friends, dabbling with art projects and the outdoors.
Sharon loved all types of critters especially horses, cats, dogs and turtles. On Jan. 15 1982, she met Dennis Dale Willess at Tyler Christian Fellowship church. As their relationship grew their future was determined in part by a black cat named Mighty. Sharon’s cat usually kept his distance from anyone other than Sharon. One day when Dennis and Sharon were visiting, Mighty walked over to Dennis and laid in his lap. Sharon said to Dennis “You’re the one.” Sharon and Dennis were married on May 15, 1982 at Tyler Christian Fellowship Church in Tyler where they were members. Rev. James O. Walker officiated. Sharon called James “Big Brother” and he called her “Sis”. Sharon and Dennis were friends with Rev. Ike Roberts who was part of the TCF Church family. Sharon taught Ike’s son Carlos when he attended Tyler Christian Fellowship.
Sharon and Dennis moved to Galveston a few years after being married. Through the years Sharon and Dennis kept in touch with the Tyler Christian Fellowship Church family.
Aug. 31, 2015, Sharon and Dennis moved back to the East Texas area, rented a place in the Brachfield Community and soon after purchased it. By this time, Sharon had been battling several major ailments for many years which led to extensive treatment and frequent long stays in medical facilities. During everything Sharon’s husband, Dennis, faithfully supported her. Sharon’s positive attitude and unshakable faith in God even when she was in intense pain was truly inspirational.
Sharon was preceded in death by her father Nicholas L. Stacke. She is survived by her husband, Dennis D. Willess; mother, Betty Jean Ohlsen Williamson; two sisters, Sandi and Sue; adopted son, Ray Allen Willess and wife Robin Michelle; Granddaughter, Kaley Sue Willess; great grandson Stefan Xavier Willess; Grandson, Cameron Elliot Willess; stepson, Joseph Bryan Willess; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home, 800 Kilgore Drive, Henderson from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 21 and Friday, Nov. 23. Funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 24 at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 7591 CR 3125 S., near the Brachfield Community. Visitation will start at 11:30 a.m. followed by service at noon. Interment will be at Zion Hill Cemetery located a few hundred feet directly across the road from the church.
Rev. James O. Walker and Rev. Ike Roberts will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Walter Willess, Bryan Willess, Ray Willess, David Deason, Trystan Deason and Michael Cary.
Honorary pall bearers are: Jonathan Teer and Cameron Willess.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CBN 700 Club, https://www.cbn.com/giving/700club/contribute.aspx?o=2
1-800-700-7000.
The family would like to thank all the medical personnel that helped Sharon over the years.
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