Tommy Allen Willis

Tom, known as "Tommy" to family and friends, was born in Oklahoma City, OK, on August 22, 1949, to Homer and Fay Willis (Burney) and is the grandson of George Washington Burney. Tom was Native American and very proud of the Choctaw heritage he inherited from his mother and grandfather. Tom graduated from US Grant High School in 1967 and attended Oklahoma State University from 1967 to 1968. In 1968 he transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1972 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and later received his Professional Engineer Certification. Tom loved his country and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps while in college.Tom began working at Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) as an intern while attending college. After completing his degree, Tom continued working as an Electrical Engineer at OG&E until 1981. Tom's faith and love for God were first and foremost in his life, and in 1981 he left OG&E to work with the Harlo White Outreach Ministries and eventually received his Minister's Ordination. Tom and his wife, Joyce, worked and traveled throughout several states with the Harlo White ministry team evangelizing, pastoring, teaching, and also in administration for eight years. In 1989 Tom returned to OG&E and filled many roles in engineering and sales until he retired in 2005. In 2015 Tom returned to OG&E as a Senior Engineer and later worked as a Lead Operational Reliability Engineer until January 2022. Tom's career with OG&E spanned 36 years. Tom had an entrepreneurial spirit which led him to start a business with Legal Shield and achieve the level of Executive Director. He also enjoyed learning about investing and trading stocks in his spare time.Tom met the love of his life, Joyce, while at OG&E. They married in 1980 and were happily married for 42 years. Tom was a great husband to Joyce, a father to Belinda Ann Willis and Spencer Allen Ware, a grandfather to Tierra Tilney, and great-grandfather to Adelyn, Kynley, and Alexander Tilney. Tom was also a brother to Blanquitta Brown-Kenney.Tom never met a stranger and always had a friendly, outgoing demeanor. He will be lovingly remembered through the gifts, talents, warm smiles, and encouraging words he gave to everyone he met. Tom was a great leader, coach, and mentor, and his kindness, generosity, and love are his legacy to all of us and will live on through all who knew him. Tommy touched many lives and will always be with us in spirit.Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; grandfather George Washington Burney (Choctaw); aunts Vera Ford, and Oneta Olson, his uncle James Burney; and cousins Tricia Burney and Phillip Ford. His survivors include his loving wife, Joyce Ann Willis; daughter Belinda Ann Walker, son Spencer Allen Ware; sister Blanquitta Brown Kenny; aunt Wanema Burney; and cousins Gregory Olson, Mike Olson, Ty Garcia, Tawana Riley, and Treva Moreland; and several nieces and nephews and friends. Memorials/food gift cards may be sent to the Willis FamilyWe love you so much.