Betty Wills

Betty Ann Wills, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

She was born Aug. 14, 1934, in Whitewater to Audrey "Toots" and Beulah "Boots" Hosea Williams.

She and Cledith Dean Wills were married April 5, 1969.

She spent a large portion of her life as a dedicated volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. She was a pack leader for Cub Scout Troop 17 and mentored many boys into adulthood with a strong understanding of Scouting and its core values.

She received one of the highest honors a Scout leader can receive, the Silver Beaver Award. This award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Upon nomination by their local Scout Council and with approval of the National Court of Honor, recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver Award is given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication and many years of service. This award goes to those who do not seek it. Her certificate was signed by President Jimmy Carter himself and was a very proud moment for her.

She spent many years in the finance industry with both Charter and Mid-South Finance, but what she always referred to as "home" was her 20-plus years spent with Hobby Lobby in Cape Girardeau. She reluctantly retired just a few years ago in 2014. Until the day she passed, she considered her former co-workers family, and they did the same for her, visiting her often and calling to check up on her as she transitioned through her final journey to the Heavens.

She was a member of Connection Point Church.

Survivors include her husband, Cledith Dean Wills of Cape Girardeau; three sons, Dennis (Michelle) Jones of Millersville, Jamie (Jennifer) Wills of Millersville and Robbie (Teresa) Jones of Calvert City, Kentucky; a nephew, Bill (Nancy) Williams, whom she considered a son; a daughter, Debbie Blauvelt of Texas; two stepbrothers, Richard "Dickie" and Donnie Holecamp; two stepdaughters, Prudy Selsor and Tammy Niswonger; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Terry Jones; a sister, Margie Fowler; and a brother, Billy Robert Williams.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Jackson Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kevin Mann officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to Safe House for Women or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.