Nancy E. Wills

Nancy Wills passed away peacefully in her home of 56 years, surrounded by her family on May 5, 2026.

She was born on March 24, 1945 in Banner Elk, NC to now deceased William J. (Bill) and Lucille Madron Eller. She spent her entire life growing up, working and raising her family in her beloved Johnson County that she served in so many ways.

From three years old to eighty, Nancy was bright and charming to the point that many people who met her were drawn into her magnetic and energetic personality. Her unique laughter eventually became part of her identity, so everyone knew when she was nearby, particularly in the grocery store, at one of the dozens of ballgames she attended, or even the doctor’s office.

Her endearing personality was enhanced by her loving, kind and generous spirit, all of which were needed for her to become a renowned social worker with the heart of a servant. Initially, Nancy worked in Child Protective Services and eventually Adult Protective Services. Along the way, during her professional life and in retirement, she would receive two coveted awards: Adoption Worker of the Year for the State of TN and the Mac Wright Volunteer Award from the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce.

During the early years of her career, she was a Social Worker at Johnson County Hospital. Together, she and Dr. John Whitlock worked to help patients whose struggles went beyond healthcare. In all these areas, she consistently proved she was born to do social work, particularly in Johnson County where she knew everyone and where they lived.

These traits also contributed to her tenure of service in church work including over fifty years as a gifted Sunday School teacher along with directing several years of VBS and at one time providing a daily devotional on WMCT Radio. She was also the go-to person for providing food for members of her beloved Nelson Chapel church family for whom she delivered lots of meals especially during the Pandemic.

But the crowning jewel in Nancy’s exemplary life of service occurred when she and her devoted husband decided they wanted to adopt a child. However, the adoption services people had something else in mind for this benevolent couple. In 1971, Nancy and Harry Wills welcomed three precious siblings, two girls and a boy, ages 2, 4, and 6 into their two-bedroom home. This quaint little house eventually became a four-bedroom household with two bathrooms and two sets of bunks when ten years later, the now famous Wills clan became a family of ten in 1981. Nancy and Harry had then welcomed five more delightful siblings, ages 4, 6, 8, 11 and 13, for a total of five boys and three girls now residing in their generous home, Glenn, Laura, Linda, Robert, Shawn, Angie, Donald, and Dennis.

After raising this brood and working for forty-years in different areas of social work, as well as HR Director at LECO, and substitute teacher, Nancy retired in 2010 to come home and spend the next six years with Harry. They both loved the Lady Vols and traveled to many games, even one in the Virgin Islands. They also took several early fall trips to the beach, and Nancy traveled with different groups to New York, DC, and Cape Cod, along with a few cruises with family members.

But she never gave up her adult social worker mantel. She still spent hours on the phone advising those in need and helping to raise funding for extreme cases. She still knew who to call, which organizations or individuals would provide assistance. She continued to work as an administrator with Fuel for Seniors and Church Thanksgiving Bags, along with serving on the Operation Pocket Change Board and the JC Share a Ride program. She was often called upon to carry local patients to out of town medical appointments because she was a fearless and experienced driver who was always willing to help those in need.

When this little energizer bunny who could always help out, had to accept reality, her “Wills Kids” rose to the occasion and no stone was left unturned to provide ultimate care for their special Mom. With help from some of her friends, her children made sure she was never left alone during those last days ensuring she would always feel cherished and loved.

Along with her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband Harry, daughter in law, LeAnna (Donald), great nephew Emmett, grandson Isaac Osborne, special cousins Bobby Wills, Margaret Westphal and Hilda Lewis. Those left to cherish Nancy’s life include her sons: Glenn, Robert (Stephanie), Shawn (Diane), Donald, and Dennis (Angie), Daughters: Laura Rasnick, Linda Wills, and Angie Wills and bonus son Barry Gladhill; her grandchildren include Jacob Rasnick (Lindsey), Heather Shipley, Zach Wills, Lindsey Wills, Tyler Wills, Locklan Wills, Aryani Wills, Kaitlin Dickens, Danielle Dickens, Aaron Osborne (Krista), Petie Pavusek, Peyton Pavusek and Brayden Gladhill; Great Grandsons: Jase Rasnick, Eston Osborne, Lane Osborne and Waylan Osborne; Sister, Wanda Payne (Greg), niece, Celia Pennington (Marty) and nephews, Seth Payne (Toni) and Aaron Payne; Great nieces: Chloe, Lacey, Sara Beth and Ruby. Nancy also leaves behind special friends: Mary Beth Slatery, Stephanie Barry, Jo Hoosier, Bonnie Reece and Teresa Sillstrop. She had many friends from her neighborhood, her coworkers, her church family, her cousins and classmates, and organizations in which she participated, all too numerous to name, but she loved. The Wills family would like to thank Amedisys Home Health

Care and Hospice, the JC Rescue Squad, the JC Cancer Support Group, Flo Bellamy, George Triplett, and most of all, their sister Linda who served their mother devotedly during her last months.

Nancy’s family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Mountain City Funeral Home. The funeral will follow with Pastor Mike McNutt officiating and special music by Terry Dugger and Maricka Jones. The graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Sunset Memorial Park officiated by Pastor Bill Worley. Pallbearers will be Shawn Wills, Robert Wills, Donald Wills, Dennis Wills, Jacob Rasnick, Barry Gladhill, Zach Wills, Petie Pavusek, Peyton Pavusek, Locklan Wills, Aaron Osborne, and Tyler Wills. Honorary pallbearers are Bud Crosswhite, Jim Crosswhite, Chris Reece, Seth Payne, Aaron Payne, Marty Pennington, Jase Rasnick, and many other friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Johnson County Emergency Heating Fund for Seniors, P.O. Box 208, Mountain City, TN 37683 or the Johnson County Cancer Support Group, 3510 Hwy 421 N., Mountain City, TN 37683.

The family of Nancy Eller Wills has entrusted her services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.