Edna Willey

Edna Evelyn (Fenner) Willey

Our Lord called home to Himself on Tuesday, Dec. 4, Edna Willey, 84, of Arlington.

Mrs. Willey was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Travis T. Willey, on September 24 of this year. Also preceding her were her parents, William Chester and Ollie Fenner; sisters Margaret, Anna Mae, Adeline, Shirley and Nancy; and brother Buddy.

She is survived by daughter Deborah (Lee) Kunkel of Brenham; and son David (Terry) Willey of Arlington; seven grandchildren, Belinda (Michael) Bobo, Cara Kunkel, Jaron Kunkel, Jennifer (Josh) Willour, Rebecca (Cody) Kersh, Miranda Willey and David Travis Willey. Also surviving are 12 great-grandchildren (7 girls, 5 boys): from Belinda's family - Alexis Williams, Nicole Bobo, Kelly Bobo, James Bobo, Audrey Bobo; Cara's - Jordan Rivera, Isaiah Rivera, Julia Rivera, Zachary Rivera; Jennifer's - Reagan Willour, Lincoln Willour; and the newest addition is Becca's son, Asa.

Edna is also survived by a sister, Frances Manning of Duncanville, numerous nephews and nieces and beloved friends.

Born September 1, 1928, in Dallas, Texas, Edna was the child of Chester and Ollie Amelia Fenner, both of German heritage. Her daddy worked for Dallas Power & Light. She had 6 sisters and a brother. The family farm stood on land where Love Field later was built. Edna milked their cows and raised chickens and sold them to the A&P Grocery Stores. Many may not know it but Edna had diphtheria as a young girl and almost died. The doctors gave up on her, but her parents and grandmother nursed her back to health.

When Edna went home with a school friend, Mozell Willey, she met her brother Travis who would be her future husband.

After graduation from North Dallas high school, Edna worked as a file clerk for an insurance company.

Edna and Travis married on June 4, 1948, at Cochran's Chapel Methodist Church in Dallas and honeymooned at Galveston. Their first home was on Burbank Street in Dallas.

Edna worked through the years at various occupations including working as a checker at Tom Thumb Grocery Co. and managing a flower shop. Those who know Edna remember her as a loving person who was extremely resourceful, creative and artistic. But her main occupation was that of homemaker. Edna's life revolved around her family and friends.

In 1950, the couple bought a home on Gaspar Street and their daughter Deborah was born, with son David added to complete the family in 1954. They enjoyed wonderful years at that home and their neighbors became lifelong friends.

Around 1960, the family bought a home on Allegheny Street. Travis and Edna were very involved in activities with their family, church and community. With every interest the kids pursued, they had the support and encouragement of loving parents. Summer vacations included many camping trips and good times with the Wheeless relatives at their cabin in Ruidoso and visits with Harley's family at the coast. Family picnics and fish frys and neighborhood gatherings with friends were special times as well. Edna was a good seamstress and made lovely clothes for the family and items for the home.

Deb and Lee's baby Belinda was the first grandchild, born in 1970, and Edna and Travis became Granny and Pawpaw! Belinda had them all to herself until 1976 when Cara was born. Before long, the family included David's twins, Jennifer and Rebecca. Deb and Lee's son, Jaron, and David and Terry's daughter, Miranda (Andie), and son, Davy, added to the fun. Edna loved being Granny!

Travis and Edna purchased property on the river in Wimberley and built a beautiful home which Edna designed where they retired in 1983. Those were golden years for them. Edna landscaped their property so beautifully that it was the envy of many and a destination for garden club tours. They also worked to improve the properties all along the riverfront. Edna took up knitting while in Wimberley and made many lovely sweaters still enjoyed by family members.

A faithful servant in the church, Edna was a member of the Harmony Class at Walnut Hill Methodist Church in Dallas. She volunteered help in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, cooking for the caring ministry and fundraisers. She was a member of Chapel of the Hills church in Wimberley where she and Travis helped with communion service. They were later members of First United Methodist Church in Mason and St. Barnabas Methodist in Arlington.

Edna was a Girl Scout leader for many years, PTA president, band booster officer and Cub Scout leader. She and Travis enjoyed delivering Meals-on-Wheels in Wimberley and Mason.

When the children and grandchildren were coming to visit, Granny always made sure the river was "turned on" so they could enjoy tubing, canoeing, and building dams or waterfalls. Plenty of corn was on hand for feeding the ducks and other critters. She involved them in gardening activities, baking, and did special crafts with them. Granny amused the family with various tall tales and the grandchildren often begged for a story about the adventures of David's St. Bernard, Goliath. All enjoyed walks with Granny around the loop, talking and spotting deer and beautiful birds. Board games and picture puzzles were fun with Granny too.

A warm and friendly lady, Edna believed that 'a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet.' Edna and Travis loved having friends over and Edna had fun planning theme parties. Visits from the kids and grandkids were eagerly anticipated. Picnics and holiday celebrations were special times. Other fond memories include wagon rides, walks with special walking sticks, making firefly lanterns and hanging our personal flags that Granny helped us create.

Edna's favorite childhood dog wasToytan. She and Travis enjoyed many dogs and cats with their family through the years and found pleasure in feeding the wild animals and birds that came around for a handout in Wimberley and Mason.

In retirement, Edna and Travis also enjoyed some very special trips to Mexico and Alaska. They made many new friends in Wimberley while continuing their Dallas friendships. They pursued new interests including the Wimberley Wayside Wanderers Walk Club and the Bluebird Society. Edna worked countless hours outdoors, always having several projects going. She hauled rocks from far and wide to build a rock wall and collected stumps, driftwood and interesting items she used in landscaping and home décor.

The year 1995 saw another move for Edna and Travis, this time to Mason where they built another lovely home which Edna designed. There was no river on their property, so they put in a pool where Edna would swim almost every day year round. New friends, places to explore and many house and garden projects kept them busy in Mason.

In 2006, health issues precipitated their move to Arlington where they lived in a beautiful home on Hidden Oaks near David. When assisted living became necessary, they moved to Eden Terrace and, more recently, to Autumn Leaves.

We are so thankful for her life and for our loving relationship with her. We believe she is already walking with Jesus in His heavenly garden where we're sure our Lord has some special project for her. We look forward to a wonderful reunion in heaven some day.