Joyce Faye Willis

Joyce Faye (Mills) Willis, 89 of Laurel, Indiana, passed away peacefully November 9th at Mercy Health Fairfield Hospital surrounded by her family. Joyce had been a resident of Parkside Nursing and Rehabilitation for 2 years. Born September 21, 1937, in Knox County Kentucky, Joyce was the 4th of 9 children of Haskell and Lula (Bowling) Mills. March 8, 1955, she married the love of her life, Richard Willis. They had 5 children, worked hard and gave of themselves to their children and extended family. Joyce was a bus driver for Fairfield City Schools for 16 years. She helped her husband run his construction company and was an entrepreneur. Joyce was loved and respected for her honesty, forthright attitude and for being her loved one’s champion.

She loved sports, especially University of Kentucky basketball. She liked to plant a vegetable garden, loved history and genealogy and loved being with family. Joyce was a devoted mother who was dedicated to the care of her eldest son and had a special relationship with each of her children and grandchildren. Her great-grandson lit up her world.

Joyce is survived by her children, Tina Reigler, Grace Willis, Minter Willis and Angie Willis, her grandchildren Taylor Willis and Minda (Cody) Hollars her great grandson, Dalton Hollars, her siblings Earl Mills, Merrill Hibbard, Bobby (Wanda) Mills, Effie Rae, her in-laws Geraldine (Ralph) Hazelwood, Gene Willis, Jim (Janine) Willis, Josh (Ruth Willis), Sandy Hacker, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Willis, her son, Richard Willis, Jr. her parents Lula and Haskell Mills, her siblings Homer Mills, Haskell (Mary) Mills, Kenny (Bonnie) Mills, and Marie Walker, her in-laws Minter (Grace) Willis, Maxine (Jim) Turner, Caroline (Chuck) Ramsey, Patricia Willis, Everett Hibbard, and Myrtle Mills.

Funeral November 17th at Hamilton Christian Center, 1940 Millville Ave. Visitation 10-12, service following. Burial at Rose Hill.