Willis Doyle Hales

Willis Doyle Hales, 73, of Haughton, Louisiana passed away Friday, February 5, 2021 in Bossier City, Louisiana. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2021 at Northwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville, Louisiana under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana. Jamie Bonner will officiate the service. Willis was born on December 30, 1947 in Farmerville, Louisiana to Willis and Honrie Carter Hales. He graduated from East Texas Baptist University with a bachelor's degree in theology and went on to get his master's in counseling at the Western New Mexico University. In September 1968, he met the love of his life, Judy Davis, and they were married in June of 1970. They had two sons, Stephen and Collin and one daughter, Karen. Willis joined the United States Army and served his country during several tours in Vietnam. During his service, Willis was one of only a select few that helped rebuild and reactivate the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York. The division was and is one of the only of its size designated to receive intense specialized training for fighting in mountainous and artic conditions. Since the reactivation, the division has participated in Operation Desert Storm, Hurricane Andrew disaster relief, and over 20 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Willis retried in 1989 as Sergeant Master after 22 years in the service. After retiring, the family traveled the world and many states in North America. The family spent 20 years working and living on the Navajo Indian reservation, where Willis served the Navajo dine (people). He was a pastor, counselor, and teacher to them and had a great love for the dine and as they had become a big part of their lives. Willis loved the outdoors, whether it was hiking or fishing with his son, Collin. He enjoyed tinkering on cars and driving fast while listening to the blues. On Saturday you could find Willis in front of the television watching the LSU Fighting Tigers and on Sunday afternoon, the New Orleans Saints. Willis was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bobby Earl Hales. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 50 years, Judy; his sons, Stephen Hales and Collin Hales; his daughter, Karen Hales; brothers, Ricky Wilter, Ronnie Hales, and Willis C. "Chucky" Hales; sisters, Teresa Turner, Sara Lee Lord; and a host of nieces and nephews.