Ida Mae Willis

Ida Mae Veronica Molter Wills (Ida) on August 26, 2024 succumbed to a ferocious three year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ida passed in her home peacefully in Rockport, TX with her daughter by her side. Ida was 80 years old. Ida was born in Ellenville, New York on May 9, 1944 to Jacob David Molter Jr., and Ida Mae Russel Molter. Ida was "7th" of 11 children.

Ida is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters: Geraldine Molter, Martha Wortman, and Pat Emerson and a brother, James Molter. Her step-grandson, Travis Gibson and the recent passing of her eldest granddaughter, Taylor Willis who passed on July 26, 2024.

 Ida is survived by her husband, Gerald E Wills, her daughter and son-in-law Michell and Michael Gibson, her son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Gail Wills, her youngest granddaughter, Ashley Willis; her Step-grandson, Austin Gibson; her sisters, Joan Hill, Theresa McCagg, and Mary Sickler (Joe): Her brothers, Richard Molter, Jacob Molter (Sherry), and Robert Molter (Linda). Ida was a true “Gulf Baby” raised  on a farm and growing up with her 10 siblings in Pine Island, Florida that is where she learned her awesome work ethic and great sense of humor. Either as a friend or a stranger, whenever meeting Ida you were left with a smile, or a breakout of laughter. Ida left a legacy of love and cherished memories to all that knew her.

 Ida met her lifetime partner Gerald Willis on Fort Myers Beach, Florida and the two were soon married. Together in the early 70's they created a very successful business called "Whiskey Barrel Furniture” where they manufactured furniture out of used bourbon barrels. In 1975 they moved to South Texas making Port Aransas their new home with their two children. Gerald obtained his Captains license and Ida worked as a deckhand on crew boats for oil companies during the Summers. Ida was also an admired bartender throughout Port Aransas all the way back to the Florida Keys. Ida retired at 65 from a 16-year tour with Walmart but never retired, relocating to Rockport, TX where she helped her daughter manage her cleaning Service Sea Mate's.

Ida was a lover of life. Sailing the Caribbean and living in the Florida Keys she traveled to Jamaica were she learned to Parasail, to the Bahamas where she was seen wave running from island to island, and traveling to Roat'an where she four wheeled through the jungles. Ida was an adamant angler placing second in the Islamorada Bartenders Marlin Tournament in the 1990's. Ida’s favorite times were gardening, thrifting and taking cruises with her sisters. She loved her family the most. A celebration of her life is being planned in Ida's native home state in Florida.

 With Ida’s adventurous and enthusiastic Love for life, please consider donating to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation so that they can find a cure.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/IdaMaeWillis