Bob Willis, 91, died on September 15, 2026. A memorial service will be held at the Nowata Methodist Church, 109 West Shawnee Avenue, Nowata, Oklahoma on Friday, September 25th at 11:00 A.M.

Bob, son of William Fredrick and Lola Mae Willis, was born on February 11, 1935, on the farm in Lenapah in the dining room of the house he lived in until shortly before his passing. Bob attended Lenapah schools through high school where he played varsity basketball (he had a mean hook shot!) and was active in FFA. As a senior in high school he received the American Farmer degree and was elected to serve as Northeast District Vice President for the state FFA organization. Bob was the first ever state officer from Lenapah (later Oklahoma Union).

Bob attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy in 1957. He was very proud to be in the “last class of Aggies.” While in college he met lifelong friends Jim Kirby and Daryl Davis. Bob was on an award-winning crops judging team at Oklahoma A&M as well. Almost every weekend he either hitch-hiked or drove home to Lenapah to help his dad on the farm.

After college Bob returned to the farm where they raised wheat, soybeans, corn, oats and fescue and ran a cow/calf herd. In addition, Bob and his dad purchased a seed cleaner and sold cleaned bagged seed to many of the farmers in northeast Oklahoma. They also cut and baled multiple tons of prairie hay each year and custom-baled for other local ranchers.

Bob met the love of his life, Phyllis Turney, while attending a Lenapah high school basketball game where Phyllis was keeping score. They were married on March 26, 1960 in the Lenapah Methodist Church. Bob not only loved Phyllis – he also liked her. During their marriage they welcomed sons David, Stephen and Michael and daughter Karen.

Recently before his passing he was asked what his occupation was – he responded, “farmer.” He was then asked what his hobbies were – he responded, “farming.” Bob was a farmer. Many local farmers confessed to paying strict attention to Bob’s timing and copying his every move related to their own farming operations. “If Bob is drilling wheat, it must be time for us to drill wheat.” If he had an actual hobby, it was gardening. Bob and Phyllis kept a huge garden each year that provided food for the family each summer. He basically loved watching things grow – crops, cattle, vegetables, children and grandchildren. Bob loved watching his children and grandchildren’s activities, whether sports, dancing, showing cattle or participating in theatre. He loved his family very well.

In addition to farming, Bob served his community in many ways. He was on the board of the Nowata County Conservation District, the Lenapah school board and the local FSA board. In addition he was on the board of the First National Bank of Nowata and Regent Bank for a combined 38 years. In recognition of his long service, Regent Bank named Bob Director Emeritus. In addition, Regent created the Bob Willis Endowed Scholarship with Oklahoma State University for the benefit of graduates from Oklahoma Union School. Bob and Phyllis were recently inducted into the Oklahoma Union Hall of Fame. In 1965, Bob and Phyllis were named Oklahoma Farm Family of the Year by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

Bob was a man of few words – which only made their impact extremely weighty. If Bob talked, everyone leaned in. Bob also had a sneaky, wry sense of humor. He was able to laugh at life and frequently laugh at himself. Bob was a tremendous son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, community leader and friend. But his greatest accomplishment occurred on March 24, 2012 when, at the age of 77, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He will be dearly missed by all who know him on this side of heaven.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George Vernon and his son Stephen. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, David Willis (wife Cylene) of Stillwater, Mike Willis (wife Jenny) of Tulsa and Karen Auer (husband Rich) of Lenapah. He is also survived by his granddaughters Grace Willis of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Liz Moore (husband Ben) of Yukon, as well as grandsons Jacob Auer (wife Caroline) of Seattle, Washington, Isaac Willis (wife Morghan) of Tulsa, Henry Auer of Tulsa and Walker Willis of Waco, Texas. Finally, he is survived by great-grandson Oliver Moore of Yukon.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Racquel Langston, Kinney Bogele and the staff of Trinity Woods in Tulsa as well as several others who cared for Bob during times of need. Contributions in memory of Bob may be sent to the Oklahoma Union Education Foundation, P.O. Box 93, Lenapah, Oklahoma 74042.

Online condolences can be left at www.honoringmemories.com or the Benjamin Funeral Home Facebook page. Arrangements are under the direction of the Benjamin Funeral Service, 114 W. Cherokee, Nowata. 918-273-2700