Marshal Willis

Marshal “Tex” Frank Willis, age 80, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Connie Page, on Saturday, August 22, 2020 surrounded by loved ones. Tex was born on October 13, 1939 in Houston, Texas to Madeline and Jesse Willis. He met his wife, Sondra Jean Int Veldt, at the University of Iowa where he completed his undergraduate degree. They were married on August 20, 1960. Tex later completed his master’s degree in mathematics at the University of South Dakota.

Tex worked in the computer industry most of his career, including installing the first computer in the State of Iowa. He started his own company providing computerized payroll services, taught at Western Iowa Tech, and finished his career working for AT&T/Lucent/Bell Laboratories. While at Bell Laboratories, he received a Patent for the Messenger Manager software.

Tex, Sondra and their daughters spent most of their years together in Iowa, including Orange City, Sioux City and Des Moines/Urbandale. After the girls were in college, Tex and Sondra also lived in Minnesota and Maryland. They moved to Denver in 1990 where Tex retired, and they enjoyed many years there with their daughters and grandchildren.

Tex enjoyed golf and played regularly well into his 70’s. He and Sondra also had an active social life playing cards with friends, golfing with other couples, and enjoying meals with friends as well. Tex loved doing puzzles for relaxation, and during his time at Connie’s house, he made and framed puzzles for each family member and all his wonderful caregivers. Tex was also a member of the Landmark Masonic Lodge No. 103 in Sioux City, IA and he served on the board of each homeowners’ association where he lived.

Tex and Sondra also greatly enjoyed travel and visited everywhere they had on their bucket list. They especially loved traveling with Sondra's sister, JoEllen, and her husband, Dennis Nauman, as well as several of their close friends. Tex dearly loved dogs, including his own Peanut, Bridget, Dusty and Bailey. He was a faithful supporter of Denver Dumb Friends League.

Tex read his bible regularly as well as many Christian books. The family attended Methodist, Dutch Reformed, and Presbyterian Evangelical churches in the various places they lived. He enjoyed a special relationship with his older brother, Harlan “Bud” Willis, who gave Tex wonderful support and peace rooted in their mutual faith in God during Tex’s final months.

Sondra went to be with the Lord on March 28, 2020. Tex is survived by his daughters: Connie Page and Diane Hahn; his grandchildren, Benjamin and Matthew Hahn, Brittany and Ashley Limes, and Daniel Stevinson; as well as his three great- grandsons, Carter, Colton and Cade Hahn. His oldest brother, Marlan “Red” Willis, predeceased him, and his next oldest brother, Harlan “Bud” Willis, lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Tex will be cremated and laid to rest with Sondra at Horan & McConaty Memorial Gardens at County Line and Holly in Centennial, CO. A Celebration of Life for both Tex and Sondra will take place with immediate family on September 1, 2020.