Frank Wills

WILLS, Mr. Frank, Sr. - Age 68, passed away Friday, November 6, 2009 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10AM Saturday, November 14, 2009 at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Eld. Kenneth L. Stewart officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Saturday. Mr. Wills will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Friday. Mr. Frank Oliver Wills, Sr., was born April 16, 1941 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of Hillard and Annie Bell Wills. He was the eighth child of 12 children. Frank as a young child attended Eastside Community Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan under the leadership of Pastor C.A. Perry. He also attended Eastern High School in Detroit. Frank retired from Chevrolet Metal Fab with 33 years of service and was a member of UAW Local #659. He was known as a great Horseshoe Pitcher, a game that he loved very much. Frank would always say “That’s 6”. He achieved many awards and trophies, as well as published articles in the newspaper. At the age of 18, he met Barbara and immediately knew she would be his wife. Frank Wills and Barbara Flemings were united in Holy Matrimony, August 12, 1962 to this union 4 children were born. He leaves to cherish his memory: loving wife of 47 years, Barbara Wills; 3 daughters, Shurun (Kerry) Dixon, Veronica and Rachell Wills; 2 sons, Frank (LaTonya) Wills, Jr., all of Flint and Jamal (Shansy) Hawkins of Washington, D.C.; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Ossie Fields of Mt. Morris, MI, Verlean Barker of Westland, MI and Pastor Verda Nichols of Bridgeport, MI; brother, Joe (Betty Lee) Wills of Romulus, MI; mother-in-law, Susie Austin of Detroit, MI; a host of other relatives and friends including close friends, Gary, Charles Warren, Shortie, Lester, John, Gary “Bird Man” Thomas, Doyle “Doe” Hollaman, Joe, Bryant and Pat. Mr. Wills was preceded in death by his parents, Hillard and Annie Bell Wills; grandson, Kerry “Steffy” Dixon; brother, Hilliard Jr.; and 3 sisters, Charlean Ellison, Maxine McGhee and Shirley Wills. The Wills family would like to express special thanks to Hurley Medical Center 4th and 7th floor doctors and nurses and everyone for your prayers, cards and telegrams during our time of sorrow.

Frank Wills

April 16, 1941 - November 6, 2009