"Junior Boy"

Psalms: 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

"God heals our broken hearts, even when we lose someone we love."

Willis Gill Jr. also known as, "Junior Boy" or "Preacher Man," was born December 23, 1941, to L. D. Gill of Camden, Arkansas, and Maurine Marks of Whelen Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from Bell High in 1959.  He was baptized at an early age at the Church of God and Christ in Whelen Springs.  He later attended Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Gurdon, Arkansas.

Willis married Bobbie May Simmons (Gill) and to this union was blessed with three children:  Sharon D. Gill, Rickie D. Gill, and Tammie R. Walker of Forney Texas.  He also has two more daughters, Mary L. Bell of Riverside California, and Amanda O’Neal of Dallas, Tx.

Willis enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Killeen, Texas. He served 2 years and was honorably discharged, before beginning his career as a cross-country transportation driver for Anthony & Patterson, of Ashdown, Arkansas. He also worked for several other companies over a 25-year span. After that, he worked for Hines Trucking for around 15 years before retiring.  In addition, he taught other friends and family members the truck driving trade, including his daughter Sharon how to drive and operate a commercial vehicle.  On weekends when Willis was in town he ran and operated, what we called, "The Place" (Gurdon's Social Club) for community members to hang out and socialize.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents; L.D Gill and Maurine Marks; three siblings, Mary Young, LeRoy Talley, and Fannie Jean Burks.

Willis's legacy will be cherished by his wife, Bobbie Mae Gill of 58 years, one brother Lonnie Ray Mixon of Milwaukee, WI, and his children, Sharon D. Gill of Gurdon, Mary L. Bell (Doug) of Riverside, California, Rickie D. Gill of Gurdon and Tammie R. Walker (Johnny) of Forney, Texas and Amanda O'Neal (Johnny) of Fort Worth, Tx., six grandchildren, Dominic Bell of Riverside, Ca., Stefon Gill of Texarkana, AR, Neecole Mason(Shannon) of Riverside, Celes Walker, of Forney, Tx., Jax and Aniyah O'Neal of Dallas, Tx., 7 great-grandchildren, a special aunt Gerri Williams, a loving cousin Rasheedah (Norma) Abdullah both of Atlanta, Ga and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Submitted by the Gill Family

Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Williams Funeral Home with Rev. James H. Giles, officiating.