James was an educator. He taught History at Lovington (NM) High School, was Principal of Prairie Grove (AR) High School, Assistant Professor at Fort Hays (KS) State University, Dean at Claremore (OK) Junior College, Superintendent of Schools at Mountain Home (AR), and retired as Professor Emeritus from Murray (KY) State University in 2005. After retirement, he returned to Arkansas where he was adjunct for the University of Arkansas at Monticello and, more recently, was an active participant and contributor at LifeQuest of Arkansas in Little Rock.
James authored four books. His first, Arkansas Confederates in the Western Theater, received the Douglas Southall Freeman Award for "Best Work in Southern History from Colonial Period to the Present" and the SA Cunningham Award for "Best Works by an Arkansas Author or Materials Concerning Arkansas During the War for Southern Independence." His second civil war novel, The Other Side of Silence, won the 2007 iUniverse Publisher's Choice Award. The third and fourth, an autobiography titled What Almost Did Not Happen, and The History of Everything Important from Existence to 2525: An Anthropomorphic Allegory, are most treasured by family and friends.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Earl William Willis and Lela (McKinstry) Willis of Monticello, Arkansas. He is survived by his sons James Wesley of Texas, and Robert and wife Rachel of Little Rock; step-daughters Hayley Treider of New York and Hope Treider of Tennessee; grandchildren Bethany, Johnathan, Kimberly, Jessica, Richard, and Robyn; and his great grandchildren Michaela, William, Jaeger, Charlotte, Ryan, and Samuel.
A celebration of James' life will be held at 11am on May 28th at the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, 943 Highway 425 North, Monticello Arkansas, 71657. In lieu of flowers, stories and other remembrances may be shared in the virtual Guest Book at http://www.stephensondearman.com
Condolences(11)
linda connell
Lovington, NM Saturday, August 13, 2016 Mr. Willis is one of the reasons I had a triple major in history, English, and secondary education. I will never forget his tears when Kennedy was assassinated. I never got to teach history full time, but when I became a professor at NMJC, I did get to teach at least one class of Western civilization every semester until I retired also as a professor emeritus. He was an inspiration.Ann West
Little Rock, AR Sunday, May 15, 2016 James, you led an amazing life, and I am so glad I got to know you at LifeQuest.Dinning, Sharum
Little Rock, AR Friday, May 13, 2016 A Hippie 'til the end!Sharum
Gene Chapman
Del Rio, TX Monday, May 9, 2016 With great sadness I remember my first grade friend, growing up together leaning reading,writing and arithmetic the old way. Our favorite recess game was fox and hounds, and being always the fox, I took great pride in eluding all the hounds. James was Peg Leg to us,We moved to Dumas at mid term of the 11th grade, but James was soon back in my life. He was assigned to Army Language School, and i was assigned to Naval Air Station as a Corpsman, where we served Naval Post Graduate School personnel at Monterrey, California in 1958. I spent week ends with him as he studied Russian.
We stayed loosely in touch for our entire lives, visiting when possible. He made Stinson an honest civil war horse trader in his civil war novel, and included a tenth grade picture of me with a blurb in his book, What Almost Did Not Happen.
He was a friend for life, an honest first grade fox hound, who I will forever cherish. I had my first commercial burger with him at Gardner's cafe, a real hot spot in our day. Farewell my friend.
Angela H Murdock
Murray, KY Wednesday, May 4, 2016 I was born in Murray, married at 17, living in a trailer with a baby on the way. Some how, through sheer grit-I landed in his class pre-student teaching. He always began with the allegory of the cave. There was one pre-teacher on front row eating cool ranch Doritos--crunching away. Let's just say, he made an strong impression. Then...student teaching. Everyone prayed to get any other professor other than Dr. Willis because he had more than grit. He had an intellect to rival Socrates, Solomon, and Cicero. And....he NEVER lowered his standards! I then had his Master's class on History of Education. That is when I began to form ideas of "to learn is to change", and I came to realize how powerfully important giving 110%--because he drew the absolute line of the highest standards. He was my mentor, my professional advisor, my beloved friend, and he changed me. He taught me the merit of NEVER being average--shared stories of his time with Governor Faubus's as his understudy during the Arkansas 9 case. From Eleanor of Auquatine to very impassioned work with the Bureaus of Indian Affairs...I can't say enough about how he changed me...and one of the 3 major regrets of my life...is that I didn't come to see him Labor Day weekend. Prayers for all of you--he spoke often about you guys in class...and it may be something you guys (as his family) don't know: if you give education all you've got--your time is consumed. If you neglect it, you fail. So please know that he talked about you guys so much--stories about you guys either past or current...and you all deserve the knowledge that while he was truly improving education and paying it forward to SO many..his mark on the course of the power of learning: "To learn is to change", he sent ripples that will be ingrained in time...always in reference to you guys. We always knew while he labored to improve teachers for students, his love for you was his base that we all enjoyed, appreciated and respected. That. Love and warm regards --MurdockMeryl Willis
Simi Valley, CA Monday, May 2, 2016 Grandpa, I'm at a loss for words for what to say to the man who got equally excited about petrified dinosaur poop as I did. To the man who's novel brought me to tears and taught me so much all at once. To the man who taught us to "live foolishly" and enjoy life. To the man who welcomed me into his family even when deer hunting and riding ATV's made me squeamish. To the man who pretty much forced us to eat strawberry shortcake dessert even if we were stuffed because it was the best part of the meal. I guess all that can be said is I miss you and love you. I promise that your great grandchildren will know who you were and how great you were and how you made the world a better place with your passion and desire to educate and create social change. Thank you for the gift of your family. I love you.Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Wednesday, April 27, 2016 What a wonderful man, James William and freat friend to all. I always felt such admiration for him. His mother was my favorite teacher and his dad was the best friend to all, admired as being the best Superintendent for Drew Central Schools where my own mother was a teacher. He was funny yet a brilliant man whom I know will be truly missed. My prayers are with all family. May God bless you in your sorrow,Janice
Beth Thurman
Monticello, AR Tuesday, April 26, 2016 James William was a special person & "character" in my journey through life. Intelligence, dry wit, individuality, and talented are just a few ways to describe him. I feel privileged to have gotten to know him. His writings were thought-provoking, & his AR Confederates in the Western Theater is absolutely the best history I have ever read. Outstanding in its diaries, journals, & letters, the book made the information read more like a story than a historical document.We have lost a good friend & source of knowledge.
James William, his father Earl, & his mother Lela were all inducted into the Drew Cental High School Hall of Fame. They are the only family in which everyone was inducted.
Rest in peace,James William. You will
Be missed.
Becky Bolin
Monticello, AR Tuesday, April 26, 2016 We are so sorry to hear about James William. Our prayers are with the family. Becky Bolin and FamilyWalter Chapman
Monticello, AR Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Sad to note the passing of a good friend and school mate. R.I.P. James. You played your hand well and now that time has come.James& Gladys Youngblood
Monticello, AR Monday, April 25, 2016 With our sincere sympathy. James was our friend for many years RIP friend!!