Grant R. Willis

Grant R. Willis, 47, of Chico Street, Carlsbad, NM, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at Lubbock Heart Hospital in Lubbock, TX. Visitation will be 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Monday, July 22, 2013 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, 2013, 10:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Boyd officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Grant R. Willis was born September 13, 1965 in Carlsbad, NM to J. W. and Winnie June (Smelley) Willis. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1984 and then completed a degree in Physical Education from Highlands University. Grant taught school in Las Vegas, NM, Animas, NM and Moriarity, NM before returning to Carlsbad. He then started his long time career with the Carlsbad Municipal Schools where he taught and coached in many elementary schools. Grant was very involved in his children's education and sporting events and never turned down the opportunity to be with them. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the Dallas Cowboys. Grant also owned and operated G. W. Enterprises and was a member of BPOE Elks # 1558. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Patricia Ferris and Barbara Morales. Survivors are four children: Jaykan Willis of Carlsbad, NM, Bobbie-Dawn "Tae-Tae" Willis of Carlsbad, NM, Brianna Johnson of Carlsbad, NM, Franky Johnson of Cordimdera, CA; sister, Sue Pagano and husband, Richard of Carlsbad, NM; and two brothers: Wes Willis of Santa Acacia, NM Garry Willis and wife, Peggy of Albuquerque, NM and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are David Pagano, Angelo Pagano, Todd Looney, Clifton Forni, Neil Christopher and Bryan Prouty. Honorary pallbearers will be Wil Willis, Grant Wesley Willis, Zack Willis, Lewis Willis, Louis Aguilar and Brad Alpers. Memorial contributions may be made to fund of your choice at the Carlsbad Community Foundation, 114 S. Canyon Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.