Karen “Kay” (Willis) Hills, age 86, of Havana, Kansas passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Kay was born November 21, 1939, in Santa Monica, California to Harold William “Ted” Willis and Emma Annabelle Crawford. Ted was a sales representative for J.C. Penney. Emma graduated from Bethany Nursing College in Kansas City in 1932; she became a pediatric nurse. Ted and Emma were separated for many years and divorced in 1950. Kay and her sister Dee went to many different schools while growing up from Santa Monica, California; Redding, California, Des Moines, Iowa; Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Miami, Oklahoma and Coffeyville, Kansas. Kay finished her junior and senior years at Field Kindley Memorial High School. Kay was involved in the Kayettes 3, 4; Junior Play Crew and Choir 3. Kay enjoyed roller skating and worked at the Miami Skate Rink her freshman and sophomore years where she took dance lessons. She enjoyed dancing at the Teen Town in the Memorial Hall building. Kay had many friends for her last two years of high school. Kay never met a stranger and was kind to everyone especially children. Her senior trip took her and her best friend Jody to Ruthven, Iowa to see her daddy. Kay graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in May of 1957. Kay enrolled in Coffeyville Community College for two more years of education. While going to college she worked for Dr. Ellis as a receptionist/secretary.
Kay never completed college as she met Ronnie Hills the love of her life. They were engaged and married on February 8, 1959, at the First Church of God. Kay and Ron had three children. Ronald Mark born January 18, 1960, Kimberly Kay born March 16, 1962, and Todd Alan born November 7, 1969.
Kay worked at Bob’s Gifts Shop, Boles Jewelry part time. Kay ran the little league concession stand from 1976 to 1980. Ron was the little league director. Mark graduated from high school in May of 1978. Tragedy struck when Kim was killed in a truck wreck the start of her junior year on September 8, 1978. Todd was eight years old. Kim had worked the past three summers at the little league concession stand. Kay and Ron ran the little league for two more years ending in 1980. Kay was a volunteer Girl Scout leader, PTA, Meals on Wheels, gave blood to the Red Cross regularly, church summer vacation bible school teacher and a Sunday children’s church ministry worker. She began work as a school para for the USD 445 in 1984, as a special needs assistant at Lowell, Longfellow and Dearing schools. In 1995, she began work as a Head Start teacher for three years and gave up her work in 1998. In 1999, she began to clean mobile homes at the Dearing Trailor Park on the corner of Highway 166 and 10th Street for six years with her friend Faye. In 2005, she decided to quit work and retire.
Survivors include her husband, Ronald Hills of the home; two sons, Mark Hills and Todd Hills and wife Gayle; grandson Preston Hills; two step-grandchildren, Brandon and Stacy; and numerous other extended family members and friends.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Ted; her daughter, Kim; her sister, Dee; her brother-in-law, Fred George; two nieces, Lori Barloiw and Lisa Rieftors; her mother and father-in-law, Edwina and Vernie Hills; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann King, Joyce York and Shirley Wichael; brothers-in-law, Kenny, Marvin and Rick Hills. One nephew, Randy Hills, aunt and uncle, Fay and Gilly Myers, uncle George Crawford, aunt and uncle Arlene and Dale Crawford, aunt and uncle Ruth and Bill Crawford.
Memorial funds can be given to the Boys and Girls Club 100 Year Legacy of SEK in honor of Kim and Kay Hills. Kay was a dog lover all her life with Tippy, Dukey Doll, Buttons, Tuff, Liz, Shannon, Sadie, Megan, Annie and Ginger. Memorials can be given to the Coffeyville Friends of Animals in honor of Kay Hills; memorial contributions can be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337.
Friends may call on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at David W. Barnes Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to sign the guest register; family will be present at the funeral home on Thursday evening to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Coffeyville. Pastor Dick Smith will officiate. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Coffeyville.
To leave a condolence for the family online, visit www.dwbfh.com
