John Crawford Wills II, 61, passed away peacefully at his home in Arp, Tuesday, September 29, 2020, surrounded by family and loved ones. Johnny, aka Phat Johnny to his friends and fans, was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend to many.

Johnny was born October 4, 1958 to Patricia and John Wills in Waxahachie, TX. He attended Whitehouse High School, class of 1977, then Lon Morris College before transferring to Texas Wesleyan University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 1983. He then graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1987, with a Master of Divinity. After many years as a minister he devoted his time to various outreach ministries; including feeding and helping the homeless. Johnny’s love of God and the message of Jesus Christ was felt in every aspect of his life. He was a captivating song writer and inspirational guitar teacher who shared his genius with countless numbers of students. As an astounding guitarist and musician, he used his profound gifts to reach people through music, blessing all those who heard him. Whether it was a Saturday night gig or a Sunday morning service he always shared his love of God. Also, Johnny was a phenomenal storyteller and devotional writer; always encouraging others to look for the blessings in life. After years of requests, in 2016, he published his book, Blessings Through the Seasons. Through it all, Johnny was never at a loss for words and always had a joke, limerick, or other ditty to bring a smile to your face and make you belly laugh.

Johnny now rejoices in heaven with his little brother, Scott Wills; his uncle Dwayne Moffitt; and grandparents Ethel and Albert Moffitt and Lois and Crawford Wills.

Johnny lives on in the hearts of his wife, Jennifer Wills; daughters, Tabitha South and her husband Harrison; Hannah Bunn and her husband Jason; and Stephanie Price and her wife Shanna; parents, Patricia and John Wills; brother Phillip Wills; grandchildren who called him PaPaw or “Paps” including Maggie, Catherine, Ellie, Ashlynn, Lacey, Naomi and Jacob; those who called him uncle or “UJ” including Grace, Taylor and Hunter Gay and Blake, Nolan, Wes, Cole and Taylor Wills; many other family, friends and strangers whose lives he touched along his journey.

Memorial service will be Sunday, October 4, 2020, at 6:30 PM at First Christian Church in Tyler 4202 S Broadway Ave (Loop 323 and Broadway), Tyler, TX 75701. We ask you to please wear a mask and stay home if you are sick. If unable to attend, the service will be broadcast live and recorded on YouTube.  

Memorial gifts in Johnny’s memory can be made to First Christian Church Tyler’s Silver Linings Respite Ministry. Flowers can be sent to First Christian Church Tyler.   

The family would like to thank Choice Hospice and Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital for the loving care they showed him.

“Love like Jesus taught us to love, and just in case you didn’t know that means LOVE EVERYBODY, not some, but ALL!”  - Johnny Wills