Obituaries

Willis Finley

Photo of Willis Finley
Willis Taylor Finley, age 90, passed away in Tyler, Texas, on April 10, 2018. He was born in Independence County, Ark., on February 12, 1928, to Clyde Finley, Sr. and Myrtle Opal Finley. While stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base he met the love of his life, Rachel Faith Glasscock, at Winfield United Methodist Church. They were married in 1958. He graduated from Newport High School in Newport, Ark., in 1945. In 1946, he joined the United States Army Air Force, which became the United States Air Force. He served his country for 26 years, retiring in 1975 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He began a second career with the University of Texas at Austin Petroleum Extension Service. He served as a Programs Coordinator and later as the director of the Petroleum Extension Training Center in Kilgore, Texas, until 1986. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas, where he and his wife Rachel were members of the Newnham Sunday School Class. In retirement he and Rachel enjoyed traveling while researching genealogy. He was a member of the Gregg County Genealogy Society. He also volunteered at the Longview Senior Citizens Center. He is survived by his brother and sister, Bernell Finley of Searcy, Ark., and Francis Charping of Bald Knob, Ark.; his brother-in-law Dewey Glasscock of Little Rock, Ark.; his children, David and Linda Finley of Plano, Texas, and Jet and Carol Schuler of Tyler, Texas; his grandchildren Kate Finley, Rebecca Finley, Andrea Schuler and Mary Day Schuler; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; his sisters, Bernice Stephens and Arlene Hodges; and his parents. Graveside services will be Monday, April 16, 2 p.m., at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark. There will be a family-conducted memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas, on Wednesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. The family will host a reception immediately following the memorial service. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia St., Longview, Texas 75601.

Published April 13, 2018

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