Billy Bruce Wills

Billy Bruce Wills, 75, of Kerrville passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, in San Antonio.  Graveside services will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Garden of Memory in Hillsboro.  Visitation will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday, November 19, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Bruce was born in Waco, Texas, on August 10, 1946.  He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1965 and served in both the Naval Reserves and the United States Navy. Bruce built a career and then a successful business, CMS Mechanical Services, in Waco. He and his wife of 43 years, Ann, built a top tier hobby herd of Beefmasters on their farm.   After retirement, they enjoyed traveling the world, eventually landing in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where he played many rounds of golf. Bruce also served his fellow veterans as Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Ruidoso. Bruce and Ann moved to Kerrville in August of 2019 to be closer to family.   Bruce was an endowed member of numerous Masonic Lodges after being raised in 1973.  He served as the District Education Officer and the District Deputy Grand Master for the Grand Lodge of Texas.

He was a dedicated member of the Karem Shrine Temple in Waco.  He brought joy to many children as “Knothead” the clown and went on to ride with the Motor Escorts for years. Bruce received the Golden Trowel Award on June 23, 2000, through his affiliation with Waco No. 92 and he was a Sam Houston Full member. He served on the staff of several Potentates and truly worked to further the mission of the organization. Bruce was a mentor to many young men, both those starting out early in their careers and masons everywhere.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Leo Curtis Wills; mother, Elizabeth Wills; brother, Curtis Edwin Wills; and niece, Tracy Elizabeth Wills.  Bruce is survived by his wife, Virginia Ann Ball; daughter, Lorie Wills Davis and her husband, Calvin; granddaughter, Tana Casarez-Davis; sister, Debra Wills Mock; bonus children, Mike and Whitney Franks; and bonus grandchildren, Taylor Alejandro and Evan Franks.

In lieu of flowers or plants, donations to the Shriners Children’s Texas Hospital in Galveston, Texas, would be a fitting tribute. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers shared with our family.

Masonic Lodge Endowments/Memberships:

Waco #92

Z.S. Teague Moody #568

Crawford #585

M. Denton Stanford #594

Tranquility #2000

Ruidoso, New Mexico #73