Ray Preston Willis, born April 11, 1944, to Wesley and Editha Willis, lived a life marked by love, service, and devotion to his faith, family, and community. Surrounded by loved ones, Ray Preston Willis, aged 82, departed peacefully on July 26, 2026, at the Oakdale Community Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Editha Willis; and three siblings, Lawrence 'Buddy' Willis, Norman Willis, and Raymond Willis.

He will be dearly missed by those left to cherish his memory: his beloved wife of sixty-two and ½ years, Larcenia 'Laura' Willis; his two children, Rodney 'Dwayne' Willis and wife, Pamela, of Elizabeth, LA, and Charlotte Sinclair and husband, Wendel, of Elizabeth, LA; his three grandchildren, Logan Sinclair and wife, Lexis, of Oakdale, LA, Caleb Willis and wife, Brenae, of Princeton, TX, and Cara Willis, of Elizabeth, LA; his two great-grandchildren, Liv Sinclair and Waverly Willis; and his sister, Sue Franz and husband, Lornie, of Sour Lake, TX.

He also leaves behind a host of extended family members and friends and will always be remembered for his love of smoking meat and discussions about genealogy, in which he could spend hours sharing stories. Give him enough time and he could probably find a family branch back to you.

He was a worker, operator, and owner of Willis Service Station, later known as Kountree Pride, for approximately 42 years. He also served his community by driving a school bus for 30 years for the Rapides Parish School Board at Plainview High. Above all, his wife and family were the greatest joy of his life.

A celebration of life officiated by Rev. L.E. Robertson will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation at the Six-Mile Pentecostal Church will be from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30th and from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday, July 31st.
Following the celebration of life, internment at Oak Hill Cemetery Oakdale, Louisiana.

Pallbearers: Ricky Monk, Tim Monk, Levi Rodriguez, Logan Sinclair, Caleb Willis, and Pat Willis. Honorary pallbearers: Keith Fontenot and Rudy Cloessner.