July 24, 1929 - Jan. 5, 2011

ELKHART -- Willis Little, 81, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart.

He was born on July 24, 1929, in Wheelwright, Ky., to the late Willard and Liza (Cook) Little. He married Ekra J. Owens on Oct. 22, 1963.

She survives along with sons Robert (Barbra) of Baltimore and DeWayne of Elkhart; daughters, Diana (Harold) Wilkins, Donna (Clint) Burks and Debra (Jon) Kaye Houck, all of Elkhart; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Onley Cook and Ellis Little; and sisters Dorthula Johnson, Flora Ann Johnson, Lorraine Little and Latrilla Flannery.

He was preceded in death by a daughter. Markita; granddaughter, Erica J. Burks; five brothers, Sylvan, T.J. and Fred Little, Earnst Conley and John Cook; four sisters, Dorothy Johnson, Virginia Newsome, Nina Houston and Judy Carole Cook.

Willis retired after 22 years from Howmet Corp. and Johnson's Shoe Shop for 16 years. He was a member of the Wheelwright Free Will Baptist Church, an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of DAV Chapter 19. He enjoyed fishing and his small lawn-care business, but mostly being with his friends and family.

Friends may call for two hours prior to the 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. Pastor Ray Caudill will officiate, with burial and military honors by DAV Chapter 19 to follow in Prairie Street Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Veterans Funeral Care at Billings.

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