Ella Mae Willis

Ella Mae Young Willis, age 103, of Morrilton, Arkansas died peacefully Sunday, December 2, 2018. She was born on September 4, 1915, in Clarksville, Arkansas to Carter Young and Ella Wee Moyer Young. Being an exceptional student, she graduated at the age of 15 from Clarksville High School, valedictorian of her senior class, and graduated from the College of the Ozarks, (University of the Ozarks), with honors at age 19 majoring in foreign languages. She was the oldest living graduate of the University of the Ozarks. She met her future husband, J.C. Willis, while in high school and married in 1935. From Clarksville, they moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, then back to Russellville around 1940. They made their home there until 1953 when they moved to Morrilton where J.C. Willis and two partners had opened KVOM AM radio station on Christmas Day 1952. She was both housewife and former co-owner of KVOM AM FM. She enjoyed ballet, ballroom dancing, reading, painting, and traveling all over the world. J.C. and Ella Mae did not miss an in-state Razorback football game for nearly 30 years and also visited each Southwest Conference stadium at least once and never missed a bowl game the Razorbacks were in during those years. After her husband died in 1984, she made close friends with many Morrilton ladies, having lunch and dinner together most days. Later they became known as the Weirdos, (widows). She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Morrilton and a past member of the Pathfinders Club, Friends of the Library and Audra Basham Circle. Even though her activities were curtailed the last few years, she was able to make her weekly beauty shop appointment as late as a week and a half ago. Ella Mae was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, J.C. Willis, her parents and her only nephew, James (Jim) Willis Weatherton. She is survived by her three children, Joan Filomeno (Dom), Valery Jackson (Charles), and Stan Willis (Sheila) all of Morrilton, eight grandchildren, Jodi Skelton, Leslie Heltzen, Jay Jackson, Jeff Jackson, Kris Poole, John Filomeno, Jennifer Berkemeyer, Scott Willis; thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the ladies who cared for Ella Mae for seven years 24 hours a day; Lorean Jackson, Nicole Williams, Helen Toney, Mary Smith, Dolly Powell, and the two she outlived, Claudia Everette and Hannah Wallace. They became part of our family and enjoyed many parties, family get togethers, and drives in the car. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Morrilton. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church at 201 S. Chestnut in Morrilton or to Conway County Library at 101 W. Church Street in Morrilton. Private burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.

Ella Mae Willis

September 4, 1915 - December 2, 2018