Dortha Nell Wills
Dortha Nell (Garner) Wills, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on March 13, 2022, in Chandler, Arizona. She was born on December 25, 1934, in McLoud, Oklahoma, to Thomas and Gertrude (Rowe) Garner. When she was eleven years old, her family which included her siblings: Tom, Jim, Norma Jean, Ralph (deceased), Patsy (deceased), and David, relocated to Mesa, Arizona. She attended Mesa Public Schools, which proudly led her to becoming a Jackrabbit at Mesa High. She was very delighted with the fact she obtained perfect attendance from fifth through ninth grades. During her formative years she faithfully attended First Baptist Church and demonstrated her lifelong devotion to God by living compassionately.
She married Leslie Howard Wills (deceased), the love of her life, on October 6, 1951, in Mesa, Arizona. Their love endured for more than five decades, raising their family in Scottsdale and Gilbert Arizona. They provided a home filled with unconditional love. Dortha and Leslie were devoted parents who lovingly raised seven children, Stanley Wills (deceased), Sandra (Rudy Tafoya), Sheryl (James Hayes), Debra (Greg Bullion) (both deceased), Katheryn (Ronald Lash), Tamera (David Cameron), and Doni Rae (Geoff Cadien).
Family was everything to Dortha! She truly cherished and enjoyed her seventeen grandchildren – April, Justin, Trudy, Crystle, Lisa, Matt, Jamie Renee, Travis, Brandon, Amy, Nicole, Dotti, Amber, Ryan, Leslie, Olivia, and Paige. Her favorite saying was “aren’t we so blessed” and the blessings continued to multiply with the addition of 28 great-grandchildren.
Such a fitting name, Dortha, which means “Gift of God”. Dortha was the salt of the earth with her gracious open acceptance of all personalities, her forgiving manner, and a kind love that touched everyone she met. Among many things Dortha will be remembered for her countless family Christmases at her home.
The family has selected to celebrate Dortha’s life by honoring her love of Christmas. Please join us at Bunker Family Funerals Home 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa on March 26, 2022, at 10:30 am for a tribute with an optional visitation at 9:30 am. Attire will be Christmas clothing and accessories. In lieu of flowers, please consider bringing an unwrapped child’s essential gift to the venue the day of the services. These gifts will be donated in Dortha’s name to “Helen’s Hope Chest”, https://helenshopechest.org/needs/, who provide basic needs to Arizona foster children and families who care for them. The Wills family would like to thank Sunrise of Chandler’s amazing caregivers who so gently provided a wonderful warm and caring daily home environment for our mom. We also would like to thank Aegis Hospice who sent Angels on earth to care for mom until she went to be with our dad in heaven.