Gary Tyson "Ty" Willis

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Buckner Willis; parents, Gary and Nancy Willis; his birth mother, Marjorie Brogdon Hess; two brothers, Caton Orrell and Hannan Orrell; two sisters, Leasha Bowden and Amy Willis Stidham; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gary was born March 8, 1967, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, the natural child of Marjorie Brogdon and Wade Perryman. He was adopted by Gary and Nancy Willis of Houston on March 11, 1967.

With his new father also named Gary, the family chose to call the younger Gary the nickname "Ty," rather than use the word "junior."

Ty endured several serious illnesses during his life, beginning at a very young age.

Following his high school graduation, Ty attended college, including receiving a degree at Angelina College. He had worked several years in the area as a computer programer and a hospital radiology technician.

Requiem Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 2508 Appleby Sand Road in Nacogdoches, with Monsignor James E. Young officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, located on Lanana Street in Nacogdoches.

Pallbearers: Hannan Orrell, Caton Orrell, Wayne Hill, Daniel Johns, Edward Ironsmith, and Joe Biershenk. Honorary pallbearer will be John Doughty.

Visitation will be held Sunday, January 6, 2013, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church for something durable that will last for years. The family wishes to see the church have a set of black vestments and a set of rose vestments.