Ray V. "Rip" Willis

Ray V. “Rip” Willis, 73, of Abilene, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at his residence in Tye.

 Visitation will be 1:00pm to 3:00pm Sunday February 9, 2025 at The Hamil Family funeral Home

 Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday, February 9, 2025, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene. 

 Rip was a man of many talents. You could call him the Abilene historian; He could tell you every fact about Abilene and the past history of Abilene. He was a well-known musician. Rip started playing the drums when he was very young. He purchased his first set of drums in high school. Rip was so determined to start his music career, that within a week of purchasing his drums, he started a band and booked his first gig. Talk about determination. Rip played with many musicians here in Abilene before his career took off on a global level. He played behind Tanya Tucker, Ray Price, and toured with Johnny Rodriguez. He also had the opportunity to play behind Willie Nelson. He was very proud of that moment and had a picture for proof. He later travelled the United States with his band "The Midnight Shift". They opened for bands such as Charlie Daniels and Alabama, just to mention a few. He was an outstanding musician and an even better person. 

 Rip was a man of faith who showed true reverence and respect to all and was one who firmly believed in the Lord. He loved to have in-depth discussions about God and was known to talk his spiritual beliefs without regret. In the latter part of his life, he frequented True Religion Church in Abilene, TX, where he would always utilize his gift and play the drums at the end of service with his grandson standing by his side.

 Rip was a big friends and family man. He enjoyed catching up with high school friends and attending reunions. He and his siblings would always make the effort to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or watch a football game. He also enjoyed long road trips with his son across the country and weekend getaways to Vegas. He would tell stories about ball games and hikes Matthew, and he shared during their summers. Rip was a great friend, a fantastic brother, and an amazing father. However, he was most proud of being a Grandfather AKA Papa Rip. As a grandfather, he frequently took his grandkids to car races, parks, nature walks, lunch, and many other activities. He enjoyed sharing stories from his life in the hopes of bringing a smile to their faces. There was never a conversation where he did not brag about the joys of being a grandfather. 

 Rip was preceded in death by his son Sean Willis and his parents Barbara and Troy Willis. 

Rip is survived by son Matthew Willis and wife Lakendra Willis, brother Roy Wade Willis and wife Jeanne Willis, brother Kelly Willis and wife Ann Willis, sister Carla Gohlke, and sister Cynthia Willis. His grandchildren are Susanna Matthews and Soren Willis and numerous nieces and nephews.