Dr. Willis E. Harrison

Dr. Willis E. Harrison passed away peacefully on January 29th at Saint Simeon's Senior Community in Tulsa after a valiant battle with an extended illness. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and sons Monte (wife Terri), and Ward (wife Dyana), and was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Durst. Willis enjoyed nine grandchildren: Brian Durst, Matthew Durst, Jake Durst, Dylan Harrison, Tanner Harrison, Ian Harrison, Will Harrison, Jordan Harrison, Sam Harrison, and one great grandchild; Thomas Harrison. Willis was born at home on the family farm in Roger Mills County, OK on November 7, 1938 to father, Bruce Harrison and mother, Pearl Harrison. Most of Willis's youth was spent in Alison, Texas where he and his siblings, Daryl, Louise and Vivian were raised and where Willis diligently helped with the family farm. Always a tireless worker, Willis excelled both in his work on the farm/ranch and academically. Willis was blessed to find the love of his life, Mary Brown Harrison, early on while living in Alison. They married in 1955 and enjoyed 69 wonderful years together. He graduated with honors from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas in 1961 and earned his Doctorate in Dentistry with honors from the UT Health Houston School of Dentistry in 1965. Willis was also devoted to his country, having proudly served in the ROTC while in college and as commissioned Captain during his tour of duty in the Vietnam War from 1966-67. After Willis's tour in Vietnam, the Harrison family settled in Canyon, Texas where Willis ran a successful dental practice and proudly served the Canyon community as City Commissioner and a loyal member of the Lion's Club. Upon retirement in 2001, Willis and Mary led a life focused on family and friends. This devotion to family led them to relocate to Claremore, OK, then Rockwall, TX, and ultimately Tulsa, OK – all to be closer to family. Willis was a beloved PaPa who always had a warm hug and a good joke to share. He will missed. Smile! The family will receive friends on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel in Canyon, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the First Methodist Church of Canyon with Rev. Chris Enoch officiating. Burial will follow in Dreamland Cemetery.