Howard B. Willis, Sr., was born on June 8, 1939, in Edwards, Mississippi, the son of Clifton and Farillia (Singleton) Willis.  He went to be with Jesus on December 10, 2024, in Bentonville, Arkansas, at the age of 85.

Howard graduated from high school in Chicago, Illinois and attended trade school. He worked at Bell and Howell as a leather stitcher.  In May 1999, he moved from Illinois to SW Missouri and worked at True Value in Bella Vista, Arkansas.  During that time, he and his wife, Nettie, pastored the Miracle Deliverance Holiness Church in Anderson, Missouri from 2002 until January, 2017.  In August of 2015, they moved to Neosho.  Howard was a member of the Bible Holiness Assembly of God Church in Neosho.  He enjoyed attending church and studying his Bible and also enjoyed mechanics.

On May 2, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, Howard and Nettie (South) were united in marriage and Nettie survives.  In addition to his wife, Howard is survived by four children, Howard Willis, Jr., Dale Willis and wife, Natalie, Randall James Willis and wife, Darla and Elizabeth Elayne Willis and Remone Allen; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; three brothers, Ellis Willis, Clifton Strong, Albert Strong; three sisters, Gladys Jackson, Thelma Wyatt and Dessa Lawson, along with numerous other family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 1:30 pm at Bible Holiness Assembly of God in Neosho, Missouri.  Interment will follow in the Tracy Cemetery.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 pm until service time.