Wanda Saunders Willis, 75, went to meet her King on Sunday morning, February 7, 2016.
She was born on March 10, 1940 in Gallia County, Ohio daughter of the late Ruby F. Shaw Saunders and Heber Marshall Saunders. Wanda was an elementary school teacher, retiring from the Gallipolis City Schools in 1990. After retiring, she worked for another ten years in drug education with the school system. Wanda, with her husband Cleeland, founded Willis Funeral Home in 1974 and loved serving her community through their services.
Wanda was a member of First Baptist Church, where she had been co-chair of the Kitchen Committee. She served on several community boards which included The Gallia County Senior Citizens and The Gallia County Red Cross. Wanda was also active in Delta Kappa Gamma and the Gallia County Retired Teachers Organization. In 2008, she published her book, The Beveled Mirror: Reflections of an Appalachian Family, which resounded with many families in her community. Wanda graduated from GAHS in 1956 and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Rio Grande College and her Master’s Degree from Marshall University.
Wanda was married to Cleeland Ray Willis on June 27, 1958, and he survives in Gallipolis. Also surviving are her daughter Lou Ann Willis Shawver and her husband Kent; her son Matthew Ray Willis and his wife Letty all of Gallipolis; five grandchildren, Betsy Shawver Brown and her husband Aaron of Huntington, WV, Brianne Rae Willis of Ashland, KY, Zach Shawver and his wife Julie of Whitehouse, OH, Sam Shawver and his wife Katie of Gallipolis, and Brooke Willis of Ashland, KY, three great grandchildren, Zane Shawver and twins Sadie and Tucker Brown; and one sister Joy (Robert) Spencer of Gallipolis and two brothers Harold Saunders of Gallipolis and Haskell Saunders of Bidwell. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Wanda was the youngest of her siblings and was preceded in death by her sisters Nancy Saunders and Thelma Slone and by two brothers Hebie Lewis Saunders and Hayward Saunders.
Funeral services will be 11 am Friday, February 12, 2016 at First Baptist Church with Pastor Alvis Pollard officiating. Her burial will follow in Providence Cemetery on Teens Run Road. Visiting hours will be from 3pm – 7 pm on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at First Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and granddaughters, and honorary pallbearers will be her nephews and nieces.
Wanda’s family is thankful to their church family and community for their prayers and support and to Holzer Hospice for the care she received. Her family suggests memorials be given to Holzer Hospice or to First Baptist Church, 1100 Fourth Avenue, Gallipolis, OH 45631.