Vender "Buster" Willis

September 7, 1931 - July 31, 2017

Vender “Buster” Willis, Junior, age 85, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Rhonda Willis, on July 31, 2017. He is the son of the late Vender and Elsie Mae Engles Willis, Senior born September 7, 1931 in Jonesboro, Ark. Buster lived the greater part of his long life in Trumann, Ark. He was taught to fish and hunt by his father, Vender Sr., along the St. Francis River having grown up at Stevens Landing south of Trumann. Buster’s trade was fishing, hunting, turtling, trapping, and hunting along the St. Francis River at Trumann and, for 25 years, he fished and turtled and was a professional fishing guide along the Mississippi River at Brandywine, Tenn., and continue to fish well into his 80’s. He was a former employee of the Singer Co. On December 26, 1961 he married Clytee Spence of Trumann. Together they had three children. Two sons, Brian Keith Willis and Jerry Dale Willis, and his daughter, Rhonda Willis. Preceding Buster Willis in death are his parents, Vender and Elsie Willis, his sister, Wilma Willis Burns, two sons, Jerry Dale Willis and Brian Keith Willis, and his granddaughter, Fallon Willis Huffines. Surviving family members are his wife of 55 years, Clytee Spence Willis of the home, Rhonda Willis of Jonesboro, grandchildren, Brian Willis and Jerri Mae Willis of Jonesboro. Lara Willis Stepp of Jonesboro, 6 great-grandchildren, Mason, Madison, and Mallard Huffines, Makenna and Kason Stepp, and Baby Willis Mendiola due in November, and other family members and friends. Graveside services will be Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark., with Rev. Ricky Dobbins officiating under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann, Ark. All family and friends of Buster Willis are invited to pay their respects. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net