Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

BELLA VISTA — Wendell D. Wills,

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90, of Bella Vista, Ark., departed this life Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Born in San Angelo, Texas, on June 1, 1930, to Ruth and Gidney Wills, Wendell was the second of five siblings.

As a young man, he joined the Air Force, working as an airplane mechanic for four years. Wendell met his late wife of 56 years, Rena Lou, at her cousin’s wedding and married her June 1, 1956. Throughout their life together, Wendell and Rena Lou enjoyed league bowling and frequent trips to Las Vegas.

The two spent 30 years living in company camps while Wendell worked as a compressor operator for El Paso Natural Gas, spending the majority of their time in Corona, N.M., before retiring to El Paso. During this time, Wendell and Rena Lou raised their children, made lifelong friendship­s, and “adopted” many into their family.

In 1992, they followed their oldest daughter Janet and her family to Arkansas and made Bella Vista their home. Wendell loved to spend time with his family, including his many nieces and nephews, and was a doting grandfathe­r. After his wife’s death in 2012, Wendell continued to focus on his family, making frequent trips to Tennessee and Mississipp­i to visit his great-grandchild­ren.

He was also an avid hat collector, and his good will and humor continued to charm those around him, even in his final years.

Wendell was preceded in death by wife Rena Lou; parents Ruth and Gidney; brothers Durwood, Paul and Robert; and son Michael David.

He’s survived by daughter Patsy Wills of Bella Vista; daughter and son-in-law Janet and Robin Perkins of Rogers; granddaugh­ter Brittany Perkins of Rogers; grandson and wife Josh and Nikki Perkins of Lithia, Fla.; great- grandson Dallas of Lithia; great-granddaugh­ter Addyson of Lithia; sister Helen Kennedy of San Angelo, Texas; close friends Joe and Linda Carter of El Paso, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the Arkansas State Veterans Home and the Willard Walker Hospice Home for their caring and compassion. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the Arkansas State Veterans Home and the Willard Walker Hospice Home for their caring and compassion. Private services will be held. Condolence­s may be expressed at www.RollinsFun­eral.com.

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