Barbara Jean Wiedeman Willis

Barbara Jean Wiedeman Willis passed away on June 28, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. Though she is no longer with us, she will continue to live in the hearts of the many people who loved her.

Born in San Antonio on November 19, 1936, Barbara grew up in Junction, Texas, the daughter of Dr. John Wiedeman and Wanda Wiedeman. As the daughter of the city’s only physician and his wife, a former surgical nurse, she was raised in a home with high standards, strong expectations, and a sense of decorum that, while sometimes frustrating to her as a young girl, ultimately shaped her into a gracious, thoughtful, and well-spoken adult. A descendant of German families who settled in Central Texas in the mid-1800s, Barbara was proud of her Wiedeman and Brandenberger heritage and cherished memories of her grandparents and their ranch near Mason, Texas.

Barbara was valedictorian of the Junction High School Class of 1954. She attended Southwestern University in Georgetown and graduated with a degree in History and Government from The University of Texas at Austin in 1958, where she was an honors graduate and member of Delta Delta Delta. While at UT, she met Tom Willis and they were married on August 15, 1958.

After Tom earned his Petroleum Engineering degree, they moved near West Texas oil fields, living first in Odessa and then for many years in Borger, where they raised their family and Barbara taught elementary school. In 1975, the family relocated to Fort Worth, where she continued her teaching career while earning a Master of Education from Texas Woman’s University.

Faith was a cornerstone of Barbara’s life and Presbyterian churches in Odessa and Borger were important growth experiences for their family. After moving to Fort Worth, they became members of First Presbyterian Church. Barbara served as an elder, a commissioner to the General Assembly, and on numerous church and Presbytery committees. Her commitment to serving others also extended into the community through volunteer work with the Clean City Commission, Teen Court, and Women’s Haven.

Barbara had a lifelong passion for early childhood development and education, serving for many years with The Parenting Center in both educational and administrative leadership roles. In 1994, she became Executive Director of Historic Fort Worth, the non-profit owner of the Eddleman-McFarland House, where she utilized her love of history and historic preservation. Her curiosity and enthusiasm for historic preservation remained and, in her seventies, she volunteered at an archaeological excavation at former President James Madison’s Montpelier estate in Virginia, enjoying the process of uncovering hidden pieces of history.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, John Elmer Wiedeman and Wanda Scruggs Wiedeman; her husband, Wayne Thomas Willis; her son, James Thomas Willis; and her brother, James Robert Wiedeman, and his wife, Beverly.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Willis McLaren and husband Kevin of Arlington, Texas; daughter-in-law Margaret DePingre Willis of Irving, Texas; grandchildren Travis McLaren (Anna) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Lauren Willis Traba (Joe) of Miami, Florida; Lindsay McLaren Boyle (Hunter) of Denver, Colorado; Matthew Willis (Christina) of Plano, Texas; and Emily McLaren of Austin, Texas; great-grandsons George McLaren and James Boyle; nieces and nephew and their families; sister-in-law, Cissy McElwee (Leroy); and numerous friends who made her life much richer.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, followed by a reception at the church.  Private burial will be at Sparkman/Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, where she will join her parents, husband, and son.

Barbara’s life was defined by faith, education, service, and an enduring love of family.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth ( https://fpcfw.org/give/online-giving/ ) or Historic Fort Worth ( https://historicfortworth.org/get-involved/donate-2/ ).