John Franklin Willis, III
August 17, 1967 ~ June 4, 2019
John Franklin Willis, III, of Russellville, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Capital Region Medical Center.
He was born August 17, 1967, in Jefferson City, the son of John Franklin Willis, Jr. and Ruby Jean Fuller Birch.
He was united in marriage on May 12, 2001, in Warsaw, Missouri to Cynthia Leigh Fugate who survives at the home.
John worked for several years as an over-the-road truck driver. He attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Russellville and was a member of the Moose Lodge. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed working on his truck and mowing the lawn. His greatest love was spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Willis, Russellville; his mother, Ruby J. Fuller Birch, Eldon, MO; four children, Stephanie White, St. Louis; William Willis, Steedman, MO; Anthony Pitts Fugate, Russellville; Kimberly Willis, Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Sean Baumli, Frankie Woodward, Ellie Pitts Fugate, Nora Willis, Cristian Willis, Nova Willis, Alisa Mashaney; two siblings, Eveleen (Ken) Stevens, Jefferson City; Bradley Shane Willis, St. Roberts; mother-in-law, Sylvia Fugate, Warsaw; one niece, Megan Willis; one nephew, Daniel Stevens; and other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Willis, Jr.; step-father, Gene Birch; father-in-law, Frank Fugate; maternal grandparents; Leo and Christine Fuller; and paternal grandparents, John and Roxie Willis.
Visitation will be 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2019, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Russellville with a prayer service at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A Kurwicki officiating.
Burial will be in Big Rock Cemetery in Barnett.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association.
Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.scrivnermorrowrussellville.com website.
He was born August 17, 1967, in Jefferson City, the son of John Franklin Willis, Jr. and Ruby Jean Fuller Birch.
He was united in marriage on May 12, 2001, in Warsaw, Missouri to Cynthia Leigh Fugate who survives at the home.
John worked for several years as an over-the-road truck driver. He attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Russellville and was a member of the Moose Lodge. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed working on his truck and mowing the lawn. His greatest love was spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Willis, Russellville; his mother, Ruby J. Fuller Birch, Eldon, MO; four children, Stephanie White, St. Louis; William Willis, Steedman, MO; Anthony Pitts Fugate, Russellville; Kimberly Willis, Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Sean Baumli, Frankie Woodward, Ellie Pitts Fugate, Nora Willis, Cristian Willis, Nova Willis, Alisa Mashaney; two siblings, Eveleen (Ken) Stevens, Jefferson City; Bradley Shane Willis, St. Roberts; mother-in-law, Sylvia Fugate, Warsaw; one niece, Megan Willis; one nephew, Daniel Stevens; and other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Willis, Jr.; step-father, Gene Birch; father-in-law, Frank Fugate; maternal grandparents; Leo and Christine Fuller; and paternal grandparents, John and Roxie Willis.
Visitation will be 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2019, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Russellville with a prayer service at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A Kurwicki officiating.
Burial will be in Big Rock Cemetery in Barnett.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association.
Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.scrivnermorrowrussellville.com website.
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Lit a candle in memory of John Franklin Willis, III
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery. Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die. Lots of love Buddy see you soon
Lit a candle in memory of John Franklin Willis, III
Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality. We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility – We passed the School, where Children strove At Recess – in the Ring – We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain – We passed the Setting Sun – Or rather – He passed us – The Dews drew quivering and chill – For only Gossamer, my Gown – My Tippet – only Tulle – We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground – The Roof was scarcely visible – The Cornice – in the Ground – Since then – ‘tis Centuries – and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses’ Heads Were toward Eternity – You will be missed see ya soon Buddy
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die. He gave his whole life,, see you soon ߤװߤװߘ„