Willis Jay Carroll

Willis Jay Carroll, 93, of Amarillo, TX passed away Friday, April 4.

Family visitation will be from 2-3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2025, at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel. The family welcomes you to bring out your antique/show car and join Willis on his last cruise as he makes his way to Memory Gardens Cemetery in his ’56 Chevy pickup serving as the hearse. Military rites are provided by Volleys for Veterans. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Willis was born September 29, 1931 in Swisher County, TX to Monroe and Susie Loftin Carroll. He was one of seven children, being the only living. Willis grew up in farming communities around the panhandle. He proudly joined the United States Navy and served during the Korean War. He met Mildred in Kress, TX when she was visiting her aunt. When he got out of the Navy he married Florence Mildred Thurman on March 11, 1955 in Omaha, NE. He attended Amarillo College taking automotive classes. Willis worked for several car dealerships in Amarillo. He then opened his own business, Carroll Brothers Used Cars with his brother William Henry Carroll from 1965-1977, then opened and operated Carrolls Auto Sales on Route 66 (6th Street) until 2004. Willis was a member of the Track and Trail Club and Top of Texas Chevy Club.

Willis loved fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, dirt bikes, street bikes, and was a talented left-handed pitcher! He enjoyed going to the Amarillo Drag Strip racing his ’55 Chevy Belaire followed by his ’56 Chevy Pickup with a 409, dual Carter carburetor. Willis loved the outdoors, often taking camping and boating trips with his family. In his later years, he was a huge supporter of Route 66, and enjoyed afternoon coffee breaks at the Handle Bar & Grill.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Monroe and Susie Carroll; wife, Florence Mildred Carroll; daughter, Cynthia Carroll Long; granddaughter, Ivy Meroney; and all of his siblings and their spouses.

Willis is survived by his children, Linda Kelley (Mike), Dora Meroney (Andy), and Allen Carroll; grandchildren, Nikki Thurman, Denise Noggler, Brian Kelley, Megan Hardy, Tabitha Long, Amber Pederson, and Emily Hardy-Carroll; great-grandchildren, Emma, Cooper, Dean, Tinzly, Kendall, Elijah, and Isla; as well as Willis’ cousins, Louise Carroll George, and Ross Guess.

** In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to BSA Hospice Care of the Southwest or to any organization supporting veterans.**