Donald Ray Willis

Dad wanted his death to be a celebration of his life, and for us to tell stories and remember the best parts and sometimes for him the worst of his life. He wanted us to laugh while we mourn and not forget that with every bad thing that happens there was something great that happened too.

The last few months as some of you know have been the absolute hardest our family has ever dealt with. It has been full of heartbreak, pain, and the feeling of loss. In these times, though we have had joy. We were able to do something most families do not get to do and that is to be purposeful, present, and cherish every moment we had. During this time we were also lucky enough to witness the power of God transform him, I would like to thank Brother Nathan for knocking him in the head with the bible every Sunday. We will all be eternally grateful for you Brother Nathan not only for sharing your love of God with dad but for being a true brother in faith and supporting him and our family during this time. We have been lifted by friends and family in prayer and have been blown away by the sheer amount of support and love we have been shown.

He asked us to put together our favorite stories of him over the years to tell at this time:

From his Daughter Co-

There are so many stories of Dad to tell I could have you here all day, like how he would take us everywhere for an entire summer wearing a little kids Winnie the Pooh bucket hat. It had Pooh Bear and Piglet on it and was 5x’s to small for his head. He would make sure and wave to all of our friends so they knew he was our Dad and smile his giant goofy grin. Then when I started high school he would insist on taking me to school in his big nasty garbage truck. Can you imagine the humiliation? I would unload at the very end of the line and walk as fast as possible. Who wanted people to know that their dad drove a garbage truck?! But man was he proud of that truck! Little did I know my path in life at this time. Dang it if he didn’t suck me in. I went from working 3 days a week so I could be a part time stay at home mom to full time and constantly thinking trash. I don't think he was prouder of me than when I would call him about an idea I had for the business or that I knew roads that aren’t even on county maps. He filled my brain with entirely to much information about 03-05 International 4300s with DT 466s running NuWay packerbodies. This crazy man managed to fill our whole entire family full of trash pride. If you ask anyone of his grandkids they all will put a huge proud smile on and tell you that their Palpal is The Garbage Man!

When I was in school I never thought about the fact that a ton of kids in my class did not have a dad at home and would love to have that crazy ass dad that chunks trash and follows us around in an ugly hat. He was my favorite kind of funny and boy did that man love to embarrass us. Something I totally appreciate now that I am a parent.

Dad would drive by the school even when it was out of his way after I started driving to make sure I was there safely. One time mom called and checked me out of school early to eat lunch with her and he saw my truck gone and he hunted me down. As a teenager that was a catch 22 I felt so loved but then I also knew I couldn’t skip school without being caught!

Dad had so many funny stories he loved talking about growing up, he had a rough childhood but never let that hold him back. Almost every story started with a giggle and something about Big Tony and him getting in entirely too much trouble or how they would cook up ways to make money. they would fix bicycles, catch worms for fishing, work on cars maybe even hold the runt upside down and But my favorite stories are more things that happened to him because of mom. I loved to hear him tell these stories from his viewpoint, which was usually wildly different than hers.

Dad took about 3 showers a day, I mean he was in the garbage business, and when he showered he rarely used the same towel twice. How do I know this? Well you see my chore growing up was making sure the towels were washed and put away. So when he got up at the butt crack of dawn and there weren’t any towels clean guess who also had to get up…. Me. I guess that is why I think this story is one of my favorites.

He gets up early around 4am to get ready most days, he takes a shower, doctors his sore spots with icy hot, takes his medications, brushes his teeth, wipes off his face and he is ready to start the day. Mom is a much later riser and usually showers and straightens the house a little before she leaves. Well on this day she picked up a towel that was on the floor folded it and put it on the counter before she left, instead of tossing it in the laundry. So when dad got home he decided to go ahead and take his evening shower. He gets out puts on his towel, doctors his sore spots with icy hot, takes his evening medications, brushes his teeth and this is where it gets funny, he wipes off his face with the towel that mom picked up off the floor, the same towel he used this morning to wipe icy hot off of his hands. He said that the pores on his face sucked that icy hot so deep down he thought his face was going to melt off. Wiping it off did not help, washing it off made the fire burn hotter. He said it took days before his face felt normal, and the best part is the whole time he told this story he would be staring daggers at Mom. Who in her viewpoint was completely innocent.

People tell me that I look just like my mom but those that know dad and I tell me that I am a just qalike him, and for that I could not be prouder. He is strong, has a heart of gold, is thoughtful, stubborn, the hardest worker, smart, quick witted, loyal, and did I mention stubborn? He taught me so much growing up about love and life, when to be tough and when to give someone a smile, even how to be loyal to a crazy spouse when they try and melt your face off, and to always, always have clean towels. I will be reminded of him in everything I do for the rest of my life whether I am taking out the trash or going to the mall and I will cherish every one of those memories.

From his Daughter Jess:

I asked Jess to send me her favorite story and she told me Fly on a String. I asked for details of this story, and this is what she said.

One time he caught a fly and tied a string to it and walked it like a dog.

Imagine a man so stern at times that some people are nervous and sometimes afraid to say the wrong thing around him. Then imagine that same man catching a fly, tying a string around it and walking it around like a dog. That man is my Dad. On the outside looking in my Dad seems very stern and almost intimidating. To the people that know him best, he is the opposite of that. He is loving and silly. He is funny and full of life. Dancing around singing little silly songs.

When I think back to all the memories I have of my Dad I smile without realizing and giggle to myself. One day I told him I loved him and he asked me “why?”. I didn’t answer. I was confused and it caught me by surprise. My thoughts raced in my mind. I didn’t know what to say. I love my Dad for countless reasons how could I ever explain? I had never thought about it. He is my Dad. I just love him. He is one of my most favorite people in the world and then the words came to me. I love my Dad because he truly is the greatest man I have even known. The fly story makes me laugh every time I think about it but it’s only one page out of a library of amazing and funny memories I have of my Dad.

From his Niece Kimberly Hunt

When asked about memories and stories with my bubba, I went completely blank. I could not get passed the part of why does he want us to do this? Why right now? Then I realized that he is just THAT in charge and bossy and that made me giggle. There are not enough words to begin telling stories and memories I have made and heard from him. All the phone calls, talking trash and discussing business. All the love and laughter he brings into my life. I can remember when the business was still just truck and trailer, I went with bubba to throw trash, because after all, family owned and operated right. I can remember bubba getting so tickled because I was struggling to get those bags over the 4 foot wooden sides of the trailer. Struggling obviously to the point that others were noticing and customers started coming out of their houses to help me load their trash into the trailer. Everyone knows Dons laugh is contagious so i'm sure you can imagine how hard we laughed that day as he's telling me that the customers pay him to pick it up and now they are out here loading it themselves. Its one of my most favorite memories. He brightens my day and my world. Treats me and loves me as one of his own.

From his brother Quinten

I have a couple of small stories to tell about my brother. There are many other stories but these are 2 that just jump out at me at this time. Several years ago we as a whole family went camping one holiday weekend at the lake. If I'm not mistaken the place on the lake was called Carter's Pasture. We all slept in tents. Now this was many moons ago. I don't remember if we had a boat with us or not. It has been too far back to remember. What I do remember is that Donald Ray went walking down the edge of the lake and found a real nice quite little cove to fish in. He had a little blow up raft type boat. Now can you visualize him in this blow up little boat. I'm laughing right now thinking about it. Ok so what he did was tie a rope to a tree that was beside the bank, then he tied that rope through the side of that blow up raft and then tied it around his belly. This was quite a site. So he floated out in the water about 15ft. or so and began fishing. Well out of nowhere a Game Warden shows up and asked where his life jacket was. Donald Ray tells this gentleman that he is wearing the biggest life jacket on earth. The Game Warden didn't seemed to be humored, and gave him a ticket for no life jacket. Donald was so mad. And If I'm not mistaken he drug that raft into the courthouse and showed them what he had done and explaining to the judge he was wearing the biggest life jacket you could get, hoping that the judge would understand but that didn't work. Donald got a ticket for no life jacket.

I have one more quick story that comes to mind. This one was just a few years back. Now I can't remember what dog this was but Donald Ray had gotten a new dog. For the first couple weeks he couldn't figure out why the dog wouldn't eat. Donald had the food bowl right in front of the dog and the darn dog wouldn't eat. Donald began to get so mad at this dog for not eating. The dog started losing weight and just looked sad all the time. Well a week or so had gone by and Donald just got so angry at this dog for not wanting to eat his food. The food would just ruin in that bowl. Donald started cursing this dog and getting angry since the dog wouldn't eat his food setting right in front of him. Donald drags the dog to the food to see if he'd eat and the dog starts squealing. Then Donald realized that he was putting the food bowl past the boundary line. Donald had one of those area boundary type shocking collar on the dog and he was putting the food bowl just out of reach for the dog. So every time the dog tried to get his food he got shocked. This has got to be one of the best stories. I know it sucked at the time for the dog but to look back at this, it is funny thinking of Donald getting so angry at this dog for not eating and it was his fault the whole time. I bet that dog wanted to trade places with Donald.

Now Donald has been in several little businesses and nothing seemed to stick with him. He just couldn't find what he was supposed to do. Then it hit him. I'm going to be a trashman. Well he got into the trash business and did very well for himself. He had finally found his calling. Well I came up with a nickname but I don't think many people in the family liked what I called him especially our mom. I didn't mean it in a bad way it was just what I called him. I called him my Trashy Brother. He always laughed about it. All my friends knew exactly who I was referring to. I was proud to tell someone about my trashy brother. I literally had a trashy brother. I was proud of my big brother he meant the world to me. I didn't get close to Donald till later on in my years. There was such an age gap between us. Once I got older is when Donald and I grew closer. He would call me sometimes and ask a plumbing question or just anything. I would say hello and he would say, hey little brother need help. I was proud to be his little brother. If you never got to know Donald you sure missed out on one heck of a person. Even though Donald did very well for himself he always stayed true to his natural roots. If you looked at him you wouldn't think he had a dime to his name, but don't let his looks fool you. If he opened up his wallet the air from the hundred dollar bills unfolding would knock you down. And don't think by his looks he was a fool. He was one of the most intelligent people I know. He was very smart. Donald was such a giving person. If you need something, and he could help, he was there. Day or night. I know that we all are heartbroken over the loss of Donald but he left behind so many great memories and one heck of a legacy. I'm loved him so much and he meant the world to. He was the best big brother and I'm glad he was mine.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

From his son in law Robert

Shortly after I moved to east Texas in 2005 I found myself bored. I took a chance and walked across the street from my new home to say hi to a neighbor. Howard talked me into picking him up later that evening so we could hit the town. Little did I know ‘’Hit the town’’ really just meant go to Garons pool hall. Now you have to understand where I grew up on the border it was very different and there was a lot more to do at night. We made our way downtown to this poorly lit area off fist street down a pot hole riddled ally. Being new to the area I would be lying if I did not tell you I was a little uncomfortable as we climbed these metal stairs alongside this ally. The building was older brick and looked very much to be historic it had no windows and I am not even sure there was a sign stating what it was. As we opened the doors you start to hear the music and the neon lights filled the room. It was at this moment that I first set my eyes on Co. That night I did not get her number in fact I annoyed her so much she wished I would just leave her alone. Days following, I got her number from Howard and we talked a lot. We hung out several times, and after dating a few months she stayed past curfew and well like her dad she is stubborn and moved out the next day. She got an apartment but never stayed there she stayed at my house “sleeping on the couch”. As perfect as it seemed, we had to park her truck behind the house because well the G man knew where I lived, and she did not want him knowing she was staying with me yet. However, one day he seen her truck at my house one early morning. I know this because the next time we went over for dinner in typical Donald fashion he asked me point blank what was my daughters truck doing at your house the other morning. I responded real quick that she had come over to cook me breakfast. At this point I was more uncomfortable than I was going into that pool hall with no windows. I wanted nothing more than to earn his respect and be accepted into the family. He called me out and said he knew I was lying because he knows co don’t get up early for anything especially to cook breakfast. He continued with pointing out that there was dew on her truck. So that means this man not only stopped at my house but got out and walked around looking for her truck. I hate that I lied to him but I feel he knew the answer and was just looking to make me uncomfortable, another time I tried was when Co brought some chicken spaghetti home that Vicki made, well normally her cooking was on point but this time was different because the spaghetti was so spicy, it was the hottest I have ever eaten, it almost melted my teeth... it was so bad. The next day Donald asked me how was the spaghetti I replied “oh it was so good”, Donald did not miss a beat he turned to me and said “bull shit that stuff was so hot we couldn’t eat it.” Donald and I became closer over the years and as he helped me with trees I helped him with trash. I know more about trash trucks than I ever cared to know, from working or welding on them. I can remember on summer days where hot trash juices were dripping on me and he would never bat an eye. I enjoyed the time we spent together and the conversations we had. I loved him like a dad and I have no doubt he is having a conversation with god right now and they are working up some business idea that starts off with Donald finding flaws saying The problem being is….. until in a few days when he could make it sound even better because it was his idea.

From his brother Brian

One Day Donald Ray called me for some help which we both did for each other often. “Donald said Hey I need your help, I was washing my tractor and I’ve got it stuck. I am at the house, Hurry Up.” When I arrived I didn’t see the tractor. So I asked where is it at? Donald Ray pointed toward the field behind the house so we walked back there and there Donald Rays tractor was in the pond. When we got out the tractor Donald Ray said “Well I guess I didn’t wash that worth a flip”

And from the most important person in his life Mom

Hero’s come in all forms shapes and sizes, to saving someone’s life or maybe giving his/her life for someone. But for me and my family, our hero is my husband and a father. He has never saved anyone's life, nor is he famous, but yet he is an amazing person. His parents got a divorce when he was just a young child. As he grew older and became a teenager he went to work to help his mother support the family. With some medical issues in his life and going to work at an early age he failed to get a full education. When I meet him he said he would never get married because he could not really ever provide for a family in fear of going blind. I told him that I loved him and I didn’t care we would figure it out together. Married with kids years later he started a business and worked very hard to do everything he could to provide for his family. After years of struggling to keep our business going he started feeling bad and getting worse by the day. After tons of dr visit they finally told us he had pancreatic cancer stage four it had already spread to his liver and stomach.

It breaks my heart so much because he is the one sick but yet he worries more about what will happen to me when his time comes. I tell him stop worrying I’m a grown woman I can get a job. He knows I could never be able to afford to continue the life we now live but I’ve told him I don’t care about things without him it doesn’t matter.

I just want him to know that he is precious and that his life is worth something. That he is our hero. Being a wonderful husband and a father makes him our hero. Fighting cancer makes him a hero.

Dad was an amazing person. He could make anyone laugh, and loved being the center of attention. I hope that with these stories you all feel a little closer to him today. Thank you all for being here to help us celebrate him. He was loved beyond imagine and will continue to be loved and his memory will be carried on in all of our hearts. In the words of Colbie his youngest “He is with Jesus now isn't that what we all want? Why are you all so sad?” So let us smile when we remember him and continue to tell his stories and keep those memories in our hearts.