Barbara Luann Wills

Barbara Luann Wills, 83, passed away October 2, 2021 in Longview, Washington. Barbara was born Sept 7, 1938 in Fosston, Minnesota to Lewis and Verna Vesledahl. Barbara received her college degree from Western Washington University with a focus on Art, Science and Teaching. She spent the first three years after college teaching at a local school. She later opened up her own art school and ran it for 17 years with a steady stream of both youth and adult students. She also spent five years studying brain research and understanding how it affected education and the arts. In addition, for three years she worked on steering committees to put on conferences at universities to help bring the newest scientific learning research to educators. Along the way, her art studies continued by attending many art classes offered by both Northwest and national painters.

Barbara spent her life working to blend her love of art and science together. Her passion in the arts started at the age of 10 and her great love of science started at age 12 after looking at a blade of grass under the microscope. Her primary form of art was painting using oils, acrylics and watercolors, but she also did sketches and wrote poetry. She was an avid researcher and took countless photographs so she would always have painting ideas. For Barbara, her continued desire for knowledge, beauty and wonderment were all satisfied and shared through her art work. Barbara worked to capture the peace that she felt while with nature. Here is one of Barbara’s poems that she wrote while boating:

Our World of Islands and Water

This is our summer world,

We are totally removed from our normal surroundings.

To live with nature renews us,

And it prepares us to rejoin civilization.

This world is very empty of man’s touch,

There are giant cliffs, green trees, and lots of water.

Animals are present, but keep to themselves,

There is silence in this world.

It calms the soul and we have peace.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 59 years, Travis Wills, her daughter Deanna Winchester, son-in-law David Winchester, grandchildren Kyle and Alex, sister and brother-in-law Nanette and Ron Johanesen, and many nieces and nephews. Her son Tod Wills preceded her in death and they are now rejoined in heaven.

A graveside service will be help October 18, 2021, 12 noon at Purdy and Walter at Floral Hills Memorial Park. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.