Obit of John D. Wills

Jim D. Wills was born on September 21, 1934 in Vinita, OK to Brook and Jessie (Cox) Wills. He passed from this life on October 18, 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 72 years & 27 days.

Jim was a retired school superintendent and a lifelong educator and coach. A graduate of Vinita High School and Northeastern State University, he began his coaching and teaching career in Carterville, Missouri. He then spent the next dozen years in several Oklahoma schools, including Hominy, Coalgate and Skiatook, before becoming principal at Skiatook High School. While there he became the assistant superintendent. He spent the rest of his education career as superintendent of schools at Chelsea Public Schools and Henryetta Public Schools. He received his Master's Degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his principal's and superintendent's certification from Tulsa University. Following his retirement from public education in 1993, he spent the next eleven years with Ruth Kelly Studios in school public relations. Jim's passion was his family, particularly his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching their sports events. He also loved his church and church family. He enjoyed fishing, clock making and making cards on his computer. Jim was the "Big Dog" in the Hungry Dog Society, a group of close, dear friends who met regularly around the dinner table.

Jim married Jean Marilyn Ford on January 26, 1957 in Bixby, Oklahoma. They have four children; Mark, and wife Penny of Skiatook, OK, Julie, and husband Steve Hunter of Ozark, MO, Derek, and wife Andrea of Skiatook, OK and Amy Jordan of Chelsea, OK. His nine grandchildren include; Kyle, Kent and Kendall Wills, Jordan, Spencer and Hayley Hunter, Ben Jordan, and Lexi and Casey Wills. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; J. B. Wills of Hammond, Louisiana and Paul Wills of Phoenix, Arizona. He is survived by his wife Jean, all four of his children, all nine grandchildren, and a host of close, loving friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Heart Fellowship Church Relocation Fund or the Bixby Public Schools Endowment Fund.

Honorary casket bearers were Joe Gill, Russell Hull, Larry Johnson, Jason Kelly, Robert Kelly, David Nalley, Jim Newman, Tom Nolan, Enrique Nerio, Cloyd Odell, Harry Red Eagle, Danne Spurlock, Tom Stiles, Clarence Stull, Bill Weaver & Jerry Williams.