Wilma (Payne) Willis

Wilma Payne Willis was called home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 22, 2018, in the Chapel of Townsend Brothers Funeral Home in Dublin, Georgia, with burial following at Dublin Memorial Gardens. Officiating will be Reverend Tom Vann, pastor of Rentz Baptist Church, where she was a member. The family will greet friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home.

Mrs. Willis was born and raised in Laurens County. She was the daughter of the late Marvin Edgar and Jewel Mae Watson Payne. She graduated from Dudley High School in 1956. She began her working career in the office of Ashley Towson for four years, and then worked with Georgia Power until she began working at the Laurens County Tax Commissioner’s Office in 1968. She was elected Tax Commissioner in 1988, and served until the year 2000. While there, she was a member of the Tax Officials Association and the County Officers Association. She was a faithful member of Pilot Club for over 25 years, serving as President from 1995-96. She loved serving her community and working with her flowers, but was happiest when spending time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Willis, her parents, and a brother, Duren Payne. She is survived by son and daughter in law, Clayton and Ann Willis, of Dublin; son, Conley Willis of Dublin; grandchildren, Ryan Willis, Reagan Willis, Jordan Willis and Jacey Willis, all of Dublin; brother and sister-in law, Gerald and Jackie Payne, sister-in-law, Lora Payne, brother-in-law, Cecil Willis, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Earl Bracewell, Elwin Bracewell, Jeremy Payne, Kelly Purvis, Brian VanNess, and David Wilson will serve as pallbearers.

The family will be at the home of Gerald and Jackie Payne, 1500 Old Macon Road, Dublin, GA 31021. The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Serenity Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Rentz Baptist Church Building Fund, 1011 Bates Ave., Rentz, GA 31075, or to Serenity Hospice, 520 Hillcrest Pkwy, Dublin, GA 31021.

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