Willard Joseph Hollis, 62, of Vienna was born Feb. 22, 1924 the 10th and youngest child of William and Matilda (Wiles) Hollis. He began his life in the Venus vicinity which is about five or six miles west of Vienna. He passed away Sept. 1, 1986 in the Charles E. Still Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was united in marriage to Fay Barnhart and unto this union 8 children were born.

Willard is survived by his wife Fay of Vienna; two sons, Larry of Vienna and Gary of Okmulgee, Ok.; five daughters, Beverly Buschmann of Fenton, Sharon Wulff of Vienna, Linda Armstrong of Jefferson City, Lisa Hollis of Vienna and Debbie Hollis of Lexington, Neb.; 12 grandchildren; five brothers, Benjamin and Eugene of Vienna, Ray and Everett of Meta and Les of Memphis; and three sisters, Ella Gray of Granite City, Ill., and Gertrude Jones and Margaret Brumble of Vienna.

He was preceded in death by one son Terry and one brother Clyde.

Willard completed elementary school at Lambeth in 1938 and graduated from the Vienna High School in 1942. He then attended Lincoln University receiving a Bachelor Degree in Education in 1960 and his Masters Degree in 1973. He spent a total of 35 years in the Educational profession. He began teaching in 1946 at Flat Top School followed by the Hughes Chapel, Bend, and Maries County R-I School. During the 24 years of service at Maries R-I School, he also served as the Elementary principal.

He enjoyed his farming when time permitted. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Vienna and the Vienna Masonic Lodge.

Funeral Services were held in the Baptist Church in Vienna with the Rev. Clyde Hendricks officiating. Organist was Ruth Hendricks. Serving as pallbearers were Daryl, Kenneth, Randy, Bill and Johnnie Hollis and Raymond Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Danny Albertson, Ronnie Thompson and Lawrence Buschmann, all under the direction of the Long Funeral Home of Vienna. Burial was in the Vienna Cemetery.