Joseph Benjamin Willis (J.B. Willis), resident of Tulsa, OK and former resident of Bartlesville, OK, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 15, 2006. J.B. was born in Westville, OK on October 25, 1925, the son of Sam F. and Francis Crowder Willis. J.B. was raised in Tahlequah, OK where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior as a boy. He graduated from Bagley High School in Tahlequah. After serving in the Army in Europe during World War II, where he was awarded the bronze star, the silver star, and the purple heart, he earned a B.S. Degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He taught at Okmulgee Tech in the college division while earning a master's degree in mathematics and physics from The University of Oklahoma. J.B. moved to Bartlesville, OK in 1953 to work for Phillips Petroleum Company, first as a physicist and later as an operations research analyst and director of consumer research, retiring from the company in 1985. He first met Charlotte Ann Velau in 1953 at OU. They were married on June 10, 1955, at Trinity Baptist Church in Bartlesville. J.B. was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church, Eastern Heights Baptist Church, and 1st United Methodist Church while in Bartlesville. He was a member of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK at the time of his death. During the time he lived in Bartlesville, J.B. was involved with the Sooner High School Band & Choir Parents. He was president of the organization for a period of time and was the trip chairman for the Bi-centennial trip to Washington, D.C. For many years J.B. was a volunteer for the OK Mozart Festival, the Red Cross Blood Drive, and many other civic activities. Due to his failing health, J.B. and Charlotte moved to Tulsa in 1998 to be near the family of their son, Joe Willis.

J.B is survived by his loving wife of 50 � years, Charlotte of Tulsa, OK; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim & Yolanda Willis of Carrollton, TX, and Joe & Beth Willis of Tulsa, OK; and one daughter and son-in-law, Mary & Robert Heape of Jacksonville, IL. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Sarah Willis of Fort Worth, TX, Theresa Willis of Henderson, TX, Ben Willis Barbosa of DeKalb, IL, Marieka Willis of Norman, OK, Sterling Willis of Tulsa, OK, Cristie Heape of Jacksonville, IL, and Nadienne Willis of Tulsa, OK. He is also survived by one brother and one sister, Jack Willis of Norman, OK and Inabelle Scruggs of Oklahoma City, OK; four nieces; and numerous cousins and many friends.

A memorial service for J.B. was held 10:00 AM Friday, March 17, at the Southern Hills Baptist Church, 5590 S. Lewis in Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to the Velau/Willis Music Scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University or to the charity or church of one's choice.