Clara E. Willis, 83, of Olney, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Carle Hospital, Urbana, IL.  She was born on September 3, 1934 in Flora, IL, the daughter of William and Edith (Chambliss) Devore.

Clara graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing in 1954 and also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Eastern Illinois University.  She was a registered nurse and secondary school teacher from 1955 to 1995.  Her nursing career began at Clay County Hospital.  She was a head nurse at Richland Memorial Hospital and later served as a certified school nurse and health teacher for East Richland High School for 30 years.  Clara  was more than a nurse, she was a Registered Nurse, a Certified School nurse, and also an educator, teaching Health Occupations for many years.

Clara was a member of Richland Heritage Museum Foundation, American Nurses Association, life member of Beta Sigma Phi, Illinois Association of School Nurses, Illinois Education Association, Retired Teachers Association, and Elm Street Christian Church.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Paula Gwen Mueller and husband Todd, Valencia, CA; son, William Joseph Willis and wife Teresa, Bluffton, SC; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Wileaver and husband Eric, Savoy, IL; daughter, Sandra Jo Willis, Watertown, MA; grandchildren, Melissa Ann Willis, Audra Nicole Craghead, Brian Eric Wileaver, Melanie Faith Joudy, and Andrea Shaun Channer; and twelve great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and was the last of nine brothers and sisters.

The family has established the Clara E. Willis Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund at the First National Bank in Olney for graduating students at Richland County High School who are pursuing a career in nursing.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home – February 27, 2018 and information provided by Paula Willis Mueller