Page 27 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021 - Online Magazine

Exceptional

Fred & Gwen Willis SENIORS

Committed, Devoted, and Thriving

by Ted and Jody Wilson

red Willis was
on his way to
FPlainview to
begin college studies at
Wayland. He stopped
on the side of the
highway between Hurst
and Plainview and
specifically asked God
to, “guide me through
my two years of studying
without distractions …
including relationships
with the ladies.” He was
serious.
The first five days of
freshman orientation
included a bus tour to
various churches in
Plainview to introduce
students to local
congregations. Fred’s Fred stepped in, never having church services, and that Fred had
brother, David, was a junior, done anything like that in his previously only “noticed” her older
and Fred was already settled on life. After the evening services, sisters. It seems the voice helped
attending College Heights Baptist, Fred often spent time at Roy and “unblind” him.)
just across the street from the Georgia Daffern’s home with other
college, with him. students. He got to know four of Fred, a “kind-of-shy" guy, was
their five daughters. “The fifth was “scared to death,” but he finally
But as the bus stopped at Parkview usually gone out with boyfriends,” got up the nerve to ask Gwen out
Baptist Church, across the street according to Fred. (More on that near the end of the semester. They
from Broadway Park, Fred heard a later.) exchanged a letter or two during
voice, “This is the place for you.” the summer and got back together
He found the warmest, friendliest During his second semester, on a the next fall, when Fred again
Body of Christ there. He tried cold, snowy evening in February at got up the nerve to invite her to a
other church services, including church, Fred noticed the Daffern’s movie. They dated until May when
College Heights, but Parkview had fifth daughter, Gwen. Again, as he Gwen, two years ahead, graduated
already won his heart, and he was had heard on the back of the bus, and declared her intentions to teach
committed. five months earlier, a clear Holy in Hawaii along with a classmate.
Spirit voice said, “That’s the one So much for that relationship, it
They needed a fourth-grade for you.” (Gwen contends that seemed. But there had been that
boys’ Sunday School teacher, so she was always at her home after voice....

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