Submitted by: Dan Rich

Betty J. Wills

Oct. 29, 1928 - July 11, 2001

South Bend Tribune 7/13/2001

Betty J. Wills, 72, of South Bend, Ind., passed away at 6:33 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

She was born Oct. 29, 1928, in Independence, Kan., to Kenneth Vance and Ethel Smetting. On Dec. 31, 1953, in Coffeeville, Kan., she married Warren E. "Gene" Wills, who survives. They had 48 years of happiness together. She is also survived by her daughters, Susan Dean of Mishawaka, Ind., Judy (Jim) Doyle of South Bend; stepdaughter, Patricia Horvat of South Bend; sons, James McKnight and Robert McKnight of South Bend, Paul (Barbara) Wills and Glen Wills; stepsons, David (Pam) Wills and Michael (Pam) Wills of South Bend; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and by a brother, Robert Plummer of Independence. Mrs. Wills retired from the housekeeping department of the Healthwin Specialized Care Facility after many years of service.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 14, in the WELSHEIMER FUNERAL HOME, 17033 Cleveland Road. Cremation will follow. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. today, July 13th, in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of St. Joseph County. She was a kind and humorous lady and will be missed by all she touched.