Willila Abell

Willila Wilson Abell 89 of Amarillo died Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 am Wednesday at Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel with Scott Higginbotham, pastor of Temple Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Willila was born August 23, 1932 to Amos and Law Euna Wilson. She was born in Compton California. When she was 8, her mother died and she began living with her Aunt and Uncle, Flossie and Luther Reed. Her cousin, Mary Eva and Willila quickly bonded and became "sisters." She moved with the Reeds to Arizona for a short time, then to Boise City, Oklahoma. Luther was a preacher, so in time, the family moved to Pampa, Texas. When Willila was 15, she became a candy striper. At 16, she became a Nurses aide and at the ripe old age of 17, Willila became the youngest LVN in the State of Texas. She married Marvin Wallace Jr in 1952 and began the life as a Mother. She had four children, Pat, Kay, Vanessa and Mike. When Mike started first grade, Willila decided it was time to become a Registered Nurse. She went to Frank Phillips College in Borger for her pre-nursing courses. Many times Willila hitchhiked from Pampa to Borger, all the while working full time at Highland General Hospital. In 1965, the family moved to Amarillo where she entered Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing, after receiving a $500 scholarship from the doctors in Pampa. She graduated in 1967 as Valedictorian of her class. She continued nursing for 60 years, working in various fields of nursing the entire time. She had a passion for nursing and life. In 1974, Willila married Bill Abell. They were the perfect couple. What an example in marriage they set for their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Flossie and Luther Reed, Bill Abell, her husband, sisters Hazel, Margaret, Lavina, and Mary Eva, two sons, Pat and Mike and her son in-law Jerry. She is survived by her daughters Kay Elliott and Vanessa Caudle, Grandchildren James Wallace(Courtney), Galyn Gafford (Amanda) and Trisha(Matt)Roberts, great grandchildren, Caylee Wallace, Tyler Gafford, Amy Willila Roberts, Ryan Gafford, Brett Roberts and Jake Gafford. Family friends Chuck and Cayla Cielencki and Cordell and Claire. Visitation Rector Funeral Home Tuesday, September 21, 2021 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM 2800 South Osage Amarillo, Texas 79103 Funeral Service Rector Funeral Home Wednesday, September 22, 2021 10:00 AM 2800 South Osage Amarillo, Texas 79103