Funeral Services

LAFAYETTE – Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Sunday, November 30, 2008, at Christian Center Church, for Reverend Elbert Ray Willis, 75, who passed away Wednesday, November 26,
2008, in Lafayette.

Reverend Buddy Axley of Brandon, Mississippi conducted the funeral services.

Graveside Servies took place Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Dr. Willis, a resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Elbert Willis of Oakdale, Louisiana and the former Bernice Perkins of Oakdale, Louisiana.  He was a Pastor of 44 years and was the current Pastor of the Christian Center Church for the past 37 years. He was the author of 66 books which are distributed in over 100 nations around the world.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Nell Willis, of Lafayette; two daughters, Lori Willis, of Lafayette, and Angela Stoops and her husband, Brad, of Portland, Ore.; three sons, Lynn Willis, of Lafayette, Randy Willis and his wife, Brenda, of Lafayette, and Barry Willis and his wife, Gwen, of Lafayette; twelve grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and one brother, Gordon “Mike” Willis and his wife, Lynn of Atlanta.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Morris Willis.

The family requested that visiting hours be observed Saturday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Christian Center Church, 315 Lagneaux Road, Duson, Louisiana 70529.  Very large crowds, representing many years of minsirty, were in attendance.  Many came from states far away.
Pallbearers were his grandsons, Micah Willis, Aaron Willis, Jamen Willis, Ian Willis, Brett LeBlanc and Mike Willis, his brother.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, was in charge of funeral arrangements.

Updated  on June 1, 2010.