Reuben Willis Jr

Funeral service for Dr. Reuben Larimer “Larry” Willis, 89, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at the United Presbyterian Church, 1510 W. Westhill Dr, Cleburne, Texas 76033. The Rev. Kenny Rigoulot will officiate. Burial will follow in Rosehill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 at Rosser Funeral Home.
Please join us in the celebration of the life of this amazing man.
Serving as pallbearers will be James Thomas, Bill Zwiener, Jeff Zwiener, Jim Zwiener, Dale Hamilton, Bob Hamilton and Dr. Ronald Sherwood. Honorary pallbearers are Mark Banton, Dr. Steve Johnson, Rev. jack hunnicutt, david Robers, dale Gregory, Karl Miesen, David Hius, Robert Dollgener, Ron Gravity, Rev. Bob Phillips and Rob Holleman.
Dr. Willis died Jan. 11, 2015 at the age of 89. A Cleburne native, he was born Aug. 4, 1925 to Reuben Larimer Willis, Sr. and Cora B. Miller Willis.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sarah Moores “Sally” Timberlake Willis, and by their two sons, William “Bill” and John "Johnny" Willis.
He is survived by many loving members of his extended family.
After graduation from Cleburne High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Navy V-12 unit at Southwestern University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Later he attended midshipman school at Cornell University and then encryption school at Harvard. He served in the active Navy and then the Naval Reserves until resigning as a LTJG in 1952.
Dr. Willis graduated from Baylor University College of Dentistry in Dallas in 1949 and practiced general dentistry in Cleburne for 39 years. He was the consummate professional, becoming a Fellow of The Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists. In 1974 he was acclaimed “Outstanding Alumnus” by Baylor Dental School. He was the president of the Fort Worth District Dental Society in 1981 and was named to its Hall of Fame in 1989.
Dr. Willis is remembered for his many contributions to the community. He was very civic-minded; always working to give back to his hometown. Larry was an Eagle Scout and continued to serve the Santa Fe district of the Longhorn Council as an adult. He was installed as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was very active in the Lions Club and the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce serving as president of both of these organizations. He was also president of the Cleburne School Board helping to plan the new High School. Moreover he served as president of the Cleburne Economic Development Foundation. Finally, he served as Foreman of the Johnson Country Grand Jury in 1989.
The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care and friendship provided by Lee Wilson, Felicia Jenkins, Dorothy Walton and Melinda Fuller. They also wish to note the fellowship and companionship of Larry's prayer breakfast group including Robert Dollgener, Mark Banton, David Roberts, and Dr. Steve Johnson. Finally they wish to thank Dr. McDavid Mahaffey for his patience and expertise.