Winnie June Willis

Winnie June Willis, 82, of Bindel Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2010, at Carlsbad Medical Center. A family and friends' viewing will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010, from 7 to 9 pm at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held on Friday at 10 am at Sunset Gardens Cemetery with Pastor John Burke officiating. A reception celebrating Winnie's life will be held at the Grace Episcopal Church immediately following the graveside services. Winnie June (Smelley) Willis was born on September 4, 1927, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to Dennis Lee and Alta Magdaline Thompson Smelley (Miller). She married J.W. Willis in 1948 in Carlsbad where they made their home. Winnie and J.W. owned and operated J's Grocery Store on South Canal Street and the Dairyland on Church Street for many years. Winnie loved yelling "Bingo" every chance she got, but most of all, she loved watching her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren living life to the fullest. Winnie was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by five children: Sue Pagano and husband Dick of Carlsbad; Barbara Morales of Carlsbad; Wes Willis and daughter-in-law Becky Willis of San Acacia, NM; Garry Willis and wife Peggy of Albuquerque; and Grant R. Willis and wife Connie of Carlsbad. Winnie had 25 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by 3 brothers: John Smilley of Denver, CO; Don Smiley of Carlsbad; and Robert Smiley of Krebs, OK. Winnie was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Willis; her daughter Patricia Ferris; two sisters Charlotte Pompa and Alta Swartz; one brother, Jack Smelley, and a granddaughter Piper Pagano. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Todd Looney, Angelo Pagano, David Pagano, Grant Wesley Willis, Zack Willis, Jaykan Willis, Jeff Willis, and Will Willis. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.