Obituaries

Charles Darney Willis

Photo of Charles Darney Willis
Charles Darnéy Willis, 95, of Springdale, passed from the bounds of his mortal life on December 15, 2016. He was born on February 28, 1921, in Cassville, Mo., the first child and only son of Charles and Pearl Willis. Charles continued the legacy of industry modeled by his parents, who built the Willis Insurance Agency in Cassville. He applied his hand in the field of building construction and design, leaving his own legacy in wood, stone, and brick, and in the lives of those he trained to become successful builders. Charles graduated from John Brown University (JBU) in Siloam Springs, Ark., with a degree in Vocational Education (B.S., 1942); Building Construction was his chosen teaching field. While teaching as a post graduate in John Brown's junior school program, he met Clara Louise Gehron, a senior at JBU. The couple married in 1946 in Clara's hometown of Montezuma, Ohio, and settled in Siloam Springs, where Charles took a staff position with JBU. Charles and Clara were blessed with enduring love; they were married for 66 years. Combining coursework completed at the University of Cincinnati and at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (UAF), Charles earned a five-year degree in architecture (B.Arch., 1954) from UAF, where he studied under the guidance of renowned architect Fay Jones. He served as Head of the Department of Building Construction at JBU from 1954 until his retirement in 1986. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Charles contributed to the design and supervision of multiple construction projects on the JBU campus, including the sanctuary paneling and furnishings for the Cathedral of the Ozarks, the Library Building, and the Science Building. Under his leadership, JBU joined the Associated Schools of Construction. He authored the book Blueprint Reading for Commercial Construction, which was published in 1979. Charles merged imagination and technical acumen in his designs, as seen in his personal residences. His post and beam home in Siloam Springs exhibited exposed redwood beams, sandstone, and vertical-grooved siding on the exterior; the interior featured wood parquet, rose-colored concrete flooring in scored squares, and a sunken shower. His retirement home at Lost Bridge Village near Beaver Lake was a novel hybrid of natural and man-made materials. A cave-like rock outcropping on a corner property was incorporated into the building's structure; the upper story was at street level; the lower story and the connected garage were earth-covered. The rock-shielded portion of the home had a moderating effect on internal temperatures, cooling in summer and warming in winter. While living at Lost Bridge, Charles did design and drafting work for Village residents. He was commissioned to draw the building plans for Whitney Mountain Chapel, which overlooks Beaver Lake. From 1991 to 1994, Charles served on the Lost Bridge Village Community Association's Board of Trustees, including a term as president (1992–1994). For the Lost Bridge Village Water and Sewer District, he served as a commissioner from 1994 until 2005, chairing the board of commissioners for the bulk of his tenure (1995–2005). He was a member of the Benton/Washington Regional Public Water Authority (Two-Ton Board), which addressed a widespread need for accessible, potable water in rural communities of Northwest Arkansas. Springing from his strong Christian faith, Charles offered his professional expertise to Christian organizations. He was a Founding Trustee with Missionary TECH Team of Longview, Texas, and held full Trustee status for 23 years. He served on the board of New Life Ranch, a Christian youth camp in Colcord, Okla., for 18 years, providing administrative leadership and design services for building projects at the camp. Charles and Clara were affiliated with the Independent Christian Church; they joined the Rogers Christian Church in 1987. Charles created wood furnishings for the church and enjoyed singing in the choir; he also served as a choir director. His life verses were I Corinthians 3:10, 11: "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Charles is survived by his two sons, Darnéy and wife Norma Jean Willis, and Chris L. and wife Valarie Willis, all of Siloam Springs; a daughter, Suzan J. (Willis) Holt, of Garfield; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Louise (Gehron) Willis, and his sister, Emma Sue (Willis) Cooper. A celebration of Charles' life and legacy will be held at the Rogers Christian Church, 2501 West Oak Street, on Wednesday, December 28, at 12 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, Mo. Memorials may be given to the Charles Willis Endowed Scholarship at JBU. Arrangements are under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign an online guest book.

Published December 22, 2016

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