Claude Dale Willis

Claude Dale Willis
September 14, 1940 - September 1, 2026

Claude Dale Willis, age 85, of Forney, Texas, passed away on September 1, 2026. Claude was fiercely independent, endlessly curious, and a little rough around the edges. He lived life on his own terms and left behind a lifetime of stories that could only belong to Claude.

Claude was born September 14, 1940, in Gorman, Texas, to Hiran Bernard Willis and Ora Steelman Willis. From an early age, Claude possessed the restless curiosity that would define much of his life. He wanted to know how things worked, how they could be fixed, and what might happen if he tried something just a little differently.

Shortly after his 18th birthday, Claude enlisted in the United States Navy on October 1, 1958. He trained in San Diego and served aboard several ships during his six years of service, including the USS Grand Canyon, USS Johnston, USS Myron C. Fox, and USS Murray. He rose to the rank of Boilerman Third Class and received specialized training in high-pressure boiler systems at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Claude was honorably discharged from the Navy on September 30, 1964. His years at sea remained an important part of Claude's life, and his family heard plenty of stories from those days. One favorite involved the crowded mess hall aboard ship. Claude learned quickly that if he didn't want his silverware to disappear, the safest place for it between bites was his front pocket. Apparently, that habit proved difficult to break, as over the years his family discovered more than a few "extra" sets of silverware from local restaurants accidentally in the home dishwasher. Claude also treasured a letter he received recognizing his service aboard a destroyer, keeping it among the mementos of a chapter of his life of which he was especially proud.

His sense of adventure didn't disappear when his Navy service ended. In the early 1970s, Claude and his brother Ernest made their way to Nashville for Ernest to try his hand in the honky-tonks. It was the sort of adventure that suited Claude perfectly-and perhaps explained why, decades later, there was still a little bit of entertainer in him.

On November 21, 1995, Claude married Cynthia Clounch, and together they built a life and family that Claude cherished.

Claude spent the final 26 years of his working life as an electrician at UT Southwestern. It was fitting work for a man whose mind never seemed to stop solving problems. Even away from the job, Claude always needed something to occupy his hands or challenge his mind. He would sit down and work algebra problems simply for fun, something most of the rest of the world would probably never understand.

He loved his metal detector and the possibility that something interesting might be hiding just beneath his feet. He loved to tinker, repair, investigate and improve things. Sitting still was simply not one of Claude's talents. There always seemed to be something that needed fixing-and, regardless of his age, apparently always a ladder somewhere that needed climbing or one last tree limb trimmed.

But perhaps the best parts of Claude came out around his grandchildren. He delighted in making up songs to entertain them. The lyrics could be about anything and were often created on the spot, but somehow every song Claude wrote seemed to come out sounding like Gene Atry. Those silly, spontaneous songs became part of the soundtrack of growing up with him and are among the countless little things his family will miss.

Claude is survived by his beloved wife of more than 30 years, Cynthia Clounch Willis; his sons, Derryl Willis and wife Irada, Christopher Willis and wife Melissa, and Jeffery Willis and wife April; his stepson, Craig Boyd and wife Taylor; and his stepdaughter, Lorinda Boyd Litke and husband Brad.

He was a proud grandfather to Mary Elizabeth Willis, Shelby Willis, Amanda Willis, Tryston Litke, Arianna Litke, Ashton Litke, Easton Litke, Jaxon Boyd, Dakota Boyd, Graydon Boyd, Boston Boyd, and Blakely Boyd.

He also loved his honorary grandchildren, Cecilia Herrera, Antonio Herrera, and Ayden Herrera, who held a special place in his family and in his heart.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents, Hiran Bernard Willis and Ora Steelman Willis, and his siblings, Maurice Willis, Bonnie Willis Odea, and Ernest Willis.

Claude's was a life that cannot adequately be measured by 85 years, a career, or even a list of accomplishments. It is better measured in the things he fixed, the treasures he searched for, the problems he solved, the songs he invented, the adventures he took, and the stories he left behind. He had an engineer's mind, a storyteller's memory, a musician's sense of humor, and just enough mischief to make sure there was always another story worth telling.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnvyvale, TX with a funeral service immediately following at 2:00 p.m..