Connel A. Willis

Connel A. Willis, age 89, of Steger, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Beloved husband of Helen Willis nee Blackwell. Loving father of Connel “Chuck” Willis Jr., the late Joyce Black, Judy Geron, Cliff (Jill) Willis, Melinda (Doug) Warriner, the late Loretta Willis and stepfather of Tami (Andy) Galbreath. Cherished grandfather of 19 grandchildren and great-grandfather of 19 great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Nelson Willis. Fond Uncle of many nieces and nephews. Companion to his beloved dog Rummy. Preceded in death by his parents James E. Willis and Letha Dexter Morrison, his siblings Luther, Jessie, Clyde, Clifton, Elsie, Mary Bell, Alta May, and Ollie Pearl and many loved dogs and horses. Connel was a part of harness racing for nearly 60 years and was a proud member of the Illinois Harness Racing Association, of which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in December of 1987 as a driver. Connel loved to serve the Lord, and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Crete and was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Dwight. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation to be held Monday, April 1st, 2024, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Homes-Steger Memorial Chapel 3045 Chicago Road Steger, IL 60475. Funeral Service, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m., April 2nd, 2024, at Smits -Steger Memorial Chapel 3045 Chicago Road Steger, IL, with Pastor Daniel L. Woodward and Pastor Brian Nutter officiating. Interment to follow at Skyline Memorial Chapel, Monee, Illinois.

The Funeral will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.  Livestream will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday April 2nd  (central time). ** The video will not be available until 10:00 a.m. **

Follow the link here: https://www.facebook.com/StegerMemorialChapel