Shirley A. Wills

Shirley Ann (Porter) Wills, age 86, passed away at her home in Palm Coast, Florida on January 24, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. Shirley was born on October 26, 1936, and raised on a farm in Junction, Illinois. While classmates dreamed of marriage, Shirley set her sights on a job in the big city and got both. After graduating from Shawneetown Community High School in 1956, Shirley moved to New York City and got a job at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. She was on the cover of their Home Office magazine, re-enacting her arrival from rural America to New York City, for Metropolitan's Statistical Bureau cover story. Shirley met her loving husband, Gerald Milton Wills, in New York City. They were married in 1957. They raised their five children in Levittown, Pennsylvania. During this time, Shirley started working for the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) in Trenton, New Jersey. She started out as an Assistant Bookkeeper in 1969 and rose to be the Exhibits Manager and Associate Director for the Association prior to her retirement in 1993. Shirley earned her accreditation as a Certified Exposition Manager from the National Association of Exposition Managers (NAEM). She once received a letter of commendation for her exhibits work from Ronald Reagan -- just prior to his presidency. Shirley looked forward each year to coordinating the exhibit in Atlantic City for NJSBA. Following her retirement, Gerry and Shirley moved to Palm Coast, Florida. Shirley was as an active member of the United Methodist church throughout her adult life. She was active with the United Methodist Women, served many leadership roles for her church and often led bible studies. She was a long-time member of the Eastern Star in Neshaminy, PA. Shirley enjoyed many cruises in her later years and traveled to all parts of the world. Shirley always had a smile that warmed the room. She was warm and friendly with everyone she met. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Wills (who passed away in 1998); her parents, Clarence Porter and Hattie (Dobbs) Porter; her brother Harold Porter; and her sister Juanita (Porter) Oxford. She is survived by her brother Delmer Porter (and his wife Dolores); sister Dorothy (Porter) Mitchell; children Keith Wills (his wife Jo), Brian Wills (his wife Suely), Barbara (Wills) Dyroff (her husband Denny), Bruce Wills, Daniel Wills (his wife Tracy); grandchildren Traci (Wills) Rossi (her husband Anthony), Wendi Wills (her fiancé Chuck Bigelow); great grandchildren Scarlett Rossi and Jade Wills Bigelow; and companion John Santoro. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Bunnell on Sunday, February 5th at 3pm with a reception to follow at the church. See https://www.facebook.com/FUMCBunnell for the church Livestream Video. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be sent to the United Methodist Church of Bunnell, P.O. Box 335, Bunnell FL 32110, with “Shirley Wills Memorial” in the memo of the check.