Doris Olivia Hornsby Willess

On October 15, 2021, Doris Olivia Hornsby Willess passed away at the age of 87 having lived her entire life in Rockwall County. Doris was born on January 10, 1934, to Lester and Lorene (Browning) Hornsby. She graduated from Rockwall High School in 1951 and in 1952 married her RHS sweetheart Bennie Dean (Jackie) Willess, Jr. It was a nostalgic Yellow Jacket Quarterback and Cheerleader union. She loved Rockwall. Her working career spanned 58 years starting at the First State Bank in Rockwall, 18 years then on to the City of Rockwall for 14 years where she was the first woman hired for the position of Tax Assessor Collector. In 1984, Doris was the first woman elected as Rockwall County Tax Assessor Collector and served for one term. She retired from the Rockwall County District Clerk office at the age of 76. She was a Christian and servant, a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Rockwall. Doris was a founding member of the Rockwall Soroptimist club and the Rockwall County Aggie Moms Club.

Among many talents, she enjoyed decorating for the holidays and calligraphy. She was passionate about being with family and friends, always looking forward to the comradery and a domino or card game. She wrote in her RHS 50 year class reunion memoir “my greatest accomplishments were her 40-year marriage and her four beautiful children”. She will be remembered with heartfelt love and respect.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Wesley Dean Willess and sister Carolyn Sue Florence. She is survived by her daughter Lea Ann Ewing and husband Larry, sons Mark Willess and William Dan Willess, granddaughters Carsyn Willess, Audree Willess, Blaire Willess and Savannah Capehart all of Rockwall.


Don’t cry for me. I will be okay.
Heaven is my home now, and this is where I’ll stay.
Don’t cry for me. I’m where I belong.
I want you to be happy and try to stay strong.
Don’t cry for me. It was just my time.
But I will see you someday on the other side.
Don’t cry for me. I am not alone.
The angels are with me to welcome me home.
Don’t cry for me, for I have no fear.
All my pain is gone and Jesus took my tears.
Don’t cry for me. This is not the end.
I’ll be awaiting here for you when we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the Parker Cemetery Association at 6651 Nyman Dr., Dallas TX 75236.