Dan Willis

Dan Willis, age 82, of Central Texas, passed away Wednesday evening, September 20, 2023 in Clifton.

A Celebration of his Life will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 25, 2023 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Pastor Andy Taylor officiating. The family will receive visitors at 5:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Dan was born on May 13, 1941, the son of William E. "Tom" and Mary Ruth (Marshall) Willis. He attended school in Ross and graduated from West High School.

Dan was a true cowboy. His rodeo career most likely began with he and his brothers Billy and Jerry finding a neighbor's calf and an old rope. He started performing in amateur rodeos in high school. He then joined Rodeo Cowboy Association (now known as PRCA) participating in all events, with rough stock being his favorite. Bull riding came most natural to him. In 1965, he was the first Texan named RCA "Rookie of the Year" and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in bull riding. Dan rodeoed professionally for many years and was an RCA rodeo clown sharing the arena with his brother, Billy, as his barrel man for many of those years. Dan participated in rodeos all throughout the United States and loved to tell the tales of his travels with friends and family. In 1996, he was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Dan lived a colorful life. He was a trader, auctioneer, and he loved story-telling, poetry and song-writing. He was the Farm and Ranch Director at KCEN TV in Waco for 7 years and had his own radio show for 2 of those years. Dan married Janice (Huffman) Willis in 1962 and together they share 3 children, Bob Willis and wife Lisa, Missy McCartney and husband Gary, and Becky Oglesby and late husband Jimmy; and grandchildren and their families, Casey, Brady, Macy, Madison, Molly, Shelby, Kashley, Julie, Chance, Jace, Jenna, and Janna; along with great-grandchildren, Logan and Chandler. His friends and family cherish many things about him, but especially his love for life, the Lord, and that he always had an open door and a soft spot in him for the underdog. Growing up they entertained many in their home and took people in for a meal or as long as they needed.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Billy Willis and Jerry Willis; and a son-in-law, Jimmy Oglesby.

Survivors include sister, Marilyn Storm; children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; companion of many years, Claudale Meinzer and her family; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.