Catherine "Cathy" Irene Willis

Catherine Irene Willis, affectionately known as Cathy, passed away on November 4, 2025, at the age of 80, surrounded by family at CRMC in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Cathy was born on November 27, 1945, to Wayne Guthery and Charlotte (Pfister) Tongier in Coffeyville. She received her education at Holy Name Catholic School and graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School, where she was actively involved in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and proudly participated as a Tornado Tilley.

Following her graduation, Cathy moved to Tulsa to pursue a nursing program at Hillcrest Medical Center, where she earned her RN certificate. It was during her time there that she met her husband, Walter Crosby “Bing” Willis, who was a patient at the hospital. Cathy and Bing married in 1969 in Coffeyville and enjoyed 37 loving years together. Their journey took them to Lebanon, Oregon, where they purchased a farm initially established as a Christmas Tree Farm. With Bing’s expertise in forestry and horticulture, they transformed it into a thriving Truck Farm, contributing locally sourced fruits and vegetables to their community. Cathy’s commitment to their farm-to-table lifestyle included actively participating in canning and preserving their harvest. She also worked as a full-time nurse at the Lebanon Hospital while completing her Bachelor of Nursing degree. After Bing’s health declined, they returned to Coffeyville, where Cathy continued her nursing career at CRMC until her retirement. Cathy’s dedication to her work and her passion for the outdoors and love of animals was a hallmark of her character.

Cathy is survived by her daughter, Lisa Johnson (Tim); two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, with one on the way; her sister, Toni Weakley (Walter); her brother, Randy Tongier; special niece, Sarah Tongier; special nephew, Brian Tongier; and her three beloved dogs. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Charlotte, her husband Bing, and her sister-in-law, Jane Tongier.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Name Catholic Church, located at 408 Willow St. in Coffeyville, with Father Drew Dellasega officiating on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. The Rosary will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave. in Coffeyville. Cathy will be inurned alongside her husband in Calvary Cemetery following the services.  For those who wish to contribute monetarily in Cathy's memory the family has requested those contributions be made payable to the Coffeyville Friends of Animals and those may be left in care of the chapel.  

To leave a message of condolence or share a memory, please visit her obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.