Pat Wills (5-17-12) service 5-20-12

William Patrick "Pat" Wills, 81, of Memphis, passed away Thursday, May 17, at St. Francis Hospital-Memphis.

He was a 1949 graduate of Tech High School-Memphis and a graduate of Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where he played football then received his Master’s Degree from the University of Memphis.

Mr. Wills was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Korea and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was the director of purchasing with the Memphis Board of Education after 40 years of service, enjoyed golfing and going to Pickwick. Mr. Wills was a very devoted Christian and family man, loved his wife, children and grandchildren dearly and they loved him in return just as much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.P. and Margaret Wills; and is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Patricia Lay Wills; children, Mike Wills (Jean) of Jackson, Tenn. Beth Wills Hendrix (Robert) of Marietta, Ga. and Susan Wills Earp (Scott) of Hutsville, Ala; grandchildren, John Wills, Emmy Hendrix and Mary-Margaret Earp.

The family also wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for the care that Fresenius Dialysis Clinic provided to Mr. Wills during his illness.

Services were held Sunday, May 20, at 2:30 p.m., at Memorial Park Funeral Home with the interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials be sent to Covenant Baptist Church, 3170 South Houston Levee Road, Collierville, Tenn. 38017 or the American Diabetes Association, 5583 Murray Road, Memphis, 38119.

Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com.