Willis D. Donley passed away Friday, Aug. 5, 2005, at the Gainesville Healthcare Center. He was 80 years of age.
Willis was born on March 25, 1925, in Michigan to Frank Donley and Nellie (Byam) Donley. On Nov. 12, 1946, Willis and Lucille Friend were married in Mountain Home, Ark. To this union were born five children.
A farmer, Willis milked for many years. He was a life long resident of Ozark County.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille Donley, of the home in Isabella; children, Larry Donley, of Thornfield, Joyce Pellham, of Wasola, Dan Donley, of Thornfield, Rex Donley, of Thornfield, and Judy Hambelton, of Thornfield; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Edith Smith, of Isabella, Eldon Donley, of Theodosia, Marjorie Graham, of Thornfield, and Austin Donley, of Squires.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Gainesville, with Jim Kyle and Randy Dalton officiating. Burial will be at Thornfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Thornfield Cemetery or to St. Jude’s Children Hospital in care of the funeral home.
