Betty Wills Stephens
November 24, 1938 -- October 2, 2023
Betty Wills Stephens, age 84, of Mount Juliet, TN died October 2, 2023. Betty was born in Memphis, Texas and was the daughter of Aaron Burr Wills and Leah Ola Denson Wills. She was married to Walter E. Stephens, Jr. for 64 years. She was a devoted follower of Christ and member of Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. Betty lived life to the fullest. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren she was known as Ganna. Betty was always busy whether singing gospel music (her first love), promoting economic developments for the Chamber of Commerce organizations she worked for or acting in movies, commercials or videos. She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1988 and was awarded many Southern Gospel Music awards for singing over the years. In the last years of her life, she focused on the business community serving the Chambers of Commerce in Lake Charles, Louisiana and as Executive Director of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 1993. In 1994, she started BWS Communications which was an independent marketing company. Prior to retiring, Betty worked with Edward Jones Investments as an office administrator receiving many performance awards along the way. In 2000, she was co-founder of the non-profit ministry called Christopher Ministries, Inc. In memory of her grandson and son-in-law. She served as secretary for the organization until the time of her death She was a woman of purpose and a great encourager to all. Betty was also preceded in death by her siblings, Eva Irene Wills Balch, A. B. Wills, Alvin Wills (Calvin's twin), Calvin L. Wills, Bill Wills, Sr., Lou Wills Hildreth, son-in-law, Joseph Hughes and grandson, Christopher Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Betty's name to Christopher Ministries, Inc. at www christopherministries com
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 10 AM Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel with Dr. Terry Samples and Dr. Billie Friel officiating. Interment will follow at 12 noon at Poplar Hill Cemetery, Watertown, TN with Dr. Victor Jungkurth (son-in-law) officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday, October 13, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road & Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN.
Courtesy of Bond Memorial Chapel, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Parents:
Aaron Burr Wills (deceased)
Leah Ola Denson Wills (deceased)
Husband:
Walter E. Stephens, Jr.
Children:
Tracia Stephens Hughes Jungkurth (Victor)
Tamara Stephens Smith (Jeffrey)
Walter E. Stephens, III (Laurie)
Son-in-law: Joseph Hughes (deceased)
Grandchildren:
Christopher Hughes (deceased)
Stephen Hughes (Jennifer)
Sara Reid (Jeremy)
Erin Stephens
Lauren Jones (Jacob)
Leah Stephens,
Riley Marie Smith
Owen Smith (Allea)
Great-grandchildren:
Madeline, Maise and Ridge Hughes
Bexley, Elliana and Joshua Reid
Siblings:
Bobby Lee Wills, Sr. (twin brother)
Norma Jo Wills Hamm
Deceased siblings:
Eva Irene Wills Balch
A. B. Wills
Alvin Willis (twin to Calvin)
Calvin L. Wills
Bill Wills, Sr.
Lou Wills Hildreth
November 24, 1938 -- October 2, 2023
Betty Wills Stephens, age 84, of Mount Juliet, TN died October 2, 2023. Betty was born in Memphis, Texas and was the daughter of Aaron Burr Wills and Leah Ola Denson Wills. She was married to Walter E. Stephens, Jr. for 64 years. She was a devoted follower of Christ and member of Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. Betty lived life to the fullest. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren she was known as Ganna. Betty was always busy whether singing gospel music (her first love), promoting economic developments for the Chamber of Commerce organizations she worked for or acting in movies, commercials or videos. She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1988 and was awarded many Southern Gospel Music awards for singing over the years. In the last years of her life, she focused on the business community serving the Chambers of Commerce in Lake Charles, Louisiana and as Executive Director of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 1993. In 1994, she started BWS Communications which was an independent marketing company. Prior to retiring, Betty worked with Edward Jones Investments as an office administrator receiving many performance awards along the way. In 2000, she was co-founder of the non-profit ministry called Christopher Ministries, Inc. In memory of her grandson and son-in-law. She served as secretary for the organization until the time of her death She was a woman of purpose and a great encourager to all. Betty was also preceded in death by her siblings, Eva Irene Wills Balch, A. B. Wills, Alvin Wills (Calvin's twin), Calvin L. Wills, Bill Wills, Sr., Lou Wills Hildreth, son-in-law, Joseph Hughes and grandson, Christopher Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Betty's name to Christopher Ministries, Inc. at www christopherministries com
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 10 AM Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel with Dr. Terry Samples and Dr. Billie Friel officiating. Interment will follow at 12 noon at Poplar Hill Cemetery, Watertown, TN with Dr. Victor Jungkurth (son-in-law) officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday, October 13, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road & Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN.
Courtesy of Bond Memorial Chapel, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Parents:
Aaron Burr Wills (deceased)
Leah Ola Denson Wills (deceased)
Husband:
Walter E. Stephens, Jr.
Children:
Tracia Stephens Hughes Jungkurth (Victor)
Tamara Stephens Smith (Jeffrey)
Walter E. Stephens, III (Laurie)
Son-in-law: Joseph Hughes (deceased)
Grandchildren:
Christopher Hughes (deceased)
Stephen Hughes (Jennifer)
Sara Reid (Jeremy)
Erin Stephens
Lauren Jones (Jacob)
Leah Stephens,
Riley Marie Smith
Owen Smith (Allea)
Great-grandchildren:
Madeline, Maise and Ridge Hughes
Bexley, Elliana and Joshua Reid
Siblings:
Bobby Lee Wills, Sr. (twin brother)
Norma Jo Wills Hamm
Deceased siblings:
Eva Irene Wills Balch
A. B. Wills
Alvin Willis (twin to Calvin)
Calvin L. Wills
Bill Wills, Sr.
Lou Wills Hildreth
Betty Wills Stephens
November 24, 1938 -- October 2, 2023
Betty Wills Stephens, age 84, of Mount Juliet, TN died October 2, 2023. Betty was born in Memphis, Texas and was the daughter of Aaron Burr Wills and Leah Ola Denson Wills. She was married to Walter E. Stephens, Jr. for 64 years. She was a devoted follower of Christ and member of Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. Betty lived life to the fullest. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren she was known as Ganna. Betty was always busy whether singing gospel music (her first love), promoting economic developments for the Chamber of Commerce organizations she worked for or acting in movies, commercials or videos. She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1988 and was awarded many Southern Gospel Music awards for singing over the years. In the last years of her life, she focused on the business community serving the Chambers of Commerce in Lake Charles, Louisiana and as Executive Director of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 1993. In 1994, she started BWS Communications which was an independent marketing company. Prior to retiring, Betty worked with Edward Jones Investments as an office administrator receiving many performance awards along the way. In 2000, she was co-founder of the non-profit ministry called Christopher Ministries, Inc. In memory of her grandson and son-in-law. She served as secretary for the organization until the time of her death She was a woman of purpose and a great encourager to all. Betty was also preceded in death by her siblings, Eva Irene Wills Balch, A. B. Wills, Alvin Wills (Calvin's twin), Calvin L. Wills, Bill Wills, Sr., Lou Wills Hildreth, son-in-law, Joseph Hughes and grandson, Christopher Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Betty's name to Christopher Ministries, Inc. at www christopherministries com
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 10 AM Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel with Dr. Terry Samples and Dr. Billie Friel officiating. Interment will follow at 12 noon at Poplar Hill Cemetery, Watertown, TN with Dr. Victor Jungkurth (son-in-law) officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday, October 13, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road & Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN.
Courtesy of Bond Memorial Chapel, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Parents:
Aaron Burr Wills (deceased)
Leah Ola Denson Wills (deceased)
Husband:
Walter E. Stephens, Jr.
Children:
Tracia Stephens Hughes Jungkurth (Victor)
Tamara Stephens Smith (Jeffrey)
Walter E. Stephens, III (Laurie)
Son-in-law: Joseph Hughes (deceased)
Grandchildren:
Christopher Hughes (deceased)
Stephen Hughes (Jennifer)
Sara Reid (Jeremy)
Erin Stephens
Lauren Jones (Jacob)
Leah Stephens,
Riley Marie Smith
Owen Smith (Allea)
Great-grandchildren:
Madeline, Maise and Ridge Hughes
Bexley, Elliana and Joshua Reid
Siblings:
Bobby Lee Wills, Sr. (twin brother)
Norma Jo Wills Hamm
Deceased siblings:
Eva Irene Wills Balch
A. B. Wills
Alvin Willis (twin to Calvin)
Calvin L. Wills
Bill Wills, Sr.
Lou Wills Hildreth
November 24, 1938 -- October 2, 2023
Betty Wills Stephens, age 84, of Mount Juliet, TN died October 2, 2023. Betty was born in Memphis, Texas and was the daughter of Aaron Burr Wills and Leah Ola Denson Wills. She was married to Walter E. Stephens, Jr. for 64 years. She was a devoted follower of Christ and member of Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. Betty lived life to the fullest. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren she was known as Ganna. Betty was always busy whether singing gospel music (her first love), promoting economic developments for the Chamber of Commerce organizations she worked for or acting in movies, commercials or videos. She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1988 and was awarded many Southern Gospel Music awards for singing over the years. In the last years of her life, she focused on the business community serving the Chambers of Commerce in Lake Charles, Louisiana and as Executive Director of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 1993. In 1994, she started BWS Communications which was an independent marketing company. Prior to retiring, Betty worked with Edward Jones Investments as an office administrator receiving many performance awards along the way. In 2000, she was co-founder of the non-profit ministry called Christopher Ministries, Inc. In memory of her grandson and son-in-law. She served as secretary for the organization until the time of her death She was a woman of purpose and a great encourager to all. Betty was also preceded in death by her siblings, Eva Irene Wills Balch, A. B. Wills, Alvin Wills (Calvin's twin), Calvin L. Wills, Bill Wills, Sr., Lou Wills Hildreth, son-in-law, Joseph Hughes and grandson, Christopher Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Betty's name to Christopher Ministries, Inc. at www christopherministries com
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 10 AM Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel with Dr. Terry Samples and Dr. Billie Friel officiating. Interment will follow at 12 noon at Poplar Hill Cemetery, Watertown, TN with Dr. Victor Jungkurth (son-in-law) officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday, October 13, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road & Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN.
Courtesy of Bond Memorial Chapel, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Parents:
Aaron Burr Wills (deceased)
Leah Ola Denson Wills (deceased)
Husband:
Walter E. Stephens, Jr.
Children:
Tracia Stephens Hughes Jungkurth (Victor)
Tamara Stephens Smith (Jeffrey)
Walter E. Stephens, III (Laurie)
Son-in-law: Joseph Hughes (deceased)
Grandchildren:
Christopher Hughes (deceased)
Stephen Hughes (Jennifer)
Sara Reid (Jeremy)
Erin Stephens
Lauren Jones (Jacob)
Leah Stephens,
Riley Marie Smith
Owen Smith (Allea)
Great-grandchildren:
Madeline, Maise and Ridge Hughes
Bexley, Elliana and Joshua Reid
Siblings:
Bobby Lee Wills, Sr. (twin brother)
Norma Jo Wills Hamm
Deceased siblings:
Eva Irene Wills Balch
A. B. Wills
Alvin Willis (twin to Calvin)
Calvin L. Wills
Bill Wills, Sr.
Lou Wills Hildreth
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