Steve Willits

Stephen (Steve) Eugene Willits, 74, of Plano, Texas passed away February 6, 2020 in Dallas, Texas of advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

Steve was born on November 8, 1945 in Lawrence Kansas to Harry Lee Willits and Edna Louise Parker Willits.  He went to Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas graduating in 1963 and went on to Arlington State College (now the University of Texas at Arlington).

He served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years during the Vietnam conflict as an Aviation Electronics Technician aboard the USS Oriskany and USS Kitty Hawk doing 3 tours of duty overseas with squadrons VA-195 and VA-125.

Upon returning home he worked for Wang Laboratories for 16 years and the Carrollton Farmers Branch School District for more than 20 years until retirement.

Steve will always be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to lighten any mood with a wisecrack or witty comment. His kids called him “the original Google” for his reliable ability to answer any question, draw detailed maps, and pull the most bizarre facts from memory. He loved history and travel, was a voracious reader, and always maintained a sense of curiosity and childlike wonder about the world.  He loved generously, encouraged and celebrated the successes of others, and left a legacy of grateful hearts who will miss him.

Steve is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Anne Willits; son, Jim Willits; daughter Debbie Keen (Jonathan); grandchildren, Alex Keen, Spencer Keen, Stella Keen and Jack Keen; mother, Edna Willits and sister, Sharon Smith.

There will be an Evening of Remembrance on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 between 7:00-9:00 PM at Allen Family Funeral Options, 2112 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023.

Burial, with honors, will be at 1:15 PM on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at the Dallas - Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.

If it is your wish, the family suggests memorial donations, in Steve's name, to either the:

American Cancer Society - cancer.org

P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123

Phone: 800-227-2345

or

Wounded Warriors Project - woundedwarriorproject.org

4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL  32256

Phone: 877-8326997