Willis, Texas

**Willis** is a city in Montgomery County, Texas, United States, located eight miles north of Conroe in north central Montgomery County.

## Geography
The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of , which is all land.]]

Before the founding of Willis, most people in the area lived in a place known as Danville, formed in the 1830s four miles west of today's New Waverly. A few Danville residents in the 1850s went south, creating the new community of what is now Willis.

Many of the early Danville population were large planters, who held many enslaved African Americans to work the tobacco crops on their plantations. Upon the railroad's completion in 1872, many people of Danville, Old Waverly, and Montgomery moved to the new town of Willis.

In the 1870s, most jobs were farming, shipping, and the manufacture of lumber and agricultural products.

The economy began to grow again in 1931 during the Texas oil boom, when oil was found in the area.

The average age in the city was 42.3 years.

## Government
### Local government
The city became official in 1937. Home Rule also lets the city have more control over taxes and debts. On May 10, 2008, the people of Willis voted to approve this new city charter.

Willis has a council-manager form of government. There is a six-person city council, made up of a mayor chosen by everyone and five council members each elected from different parts of the city. As of June 2022, Leonard Reed is the mayor. The council members are Ashley Nixon, Barney Stone, Tamara Young-Hector, Thomas Luster, and William Brown. The council hires a city manager who runs the day-to-day work and has a lot of responsibility.

### State government
Willis is part of District 3, Texas Senate, and represented by Republican Robert Nichols. In the Texas House of Representatives, Willis is part of District 16, represented by Republican Will Metcalf.

### Federal government
In the United States Senate, Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz represent the whole state of Texas. In the United States House of Representatives, Willis is part of Texas's 8th congressional district, represented by Republican Morgan Luttrell.

Sam Houston National Forest is located a few miles west, north, and east of Willis.

## Education
### Primary and secondary schools
#### Public schools
Willis' public schools are controlled by the Willis Independent School District and Responsive Education Solutions.

Six elementary schools, all of which are in Willis, serve parts of Willis:
* Edward B. Cannan Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–5th)
* C. C. Hardy Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–5th)
* Mel Parmley Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–5th)
* A.R. Turner Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–5th)
* William Lloyd Meador Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–5th)
* Lagway Elementary School (Grades Pre-K-5th)
* Vista Academy of Willis (Grades K–8)

Three middle schools serve parts of Willis:
* Robert P. Brabham Middle School (Grades 6–8) (Unincorporated Montgomery County)
* Lynn Lucas Middle School (Grades 6–8) (Willis)
* Calfee Middle School (Grades 6-8) (Conroe)
* Vista Academy of Willis (Grades K–8)

All of the city is zoned to Willis High School in Unincorporated Montgomery County.

#### Private schools
* Covenant Christian School

### Colleges and universities
Lone Star College, which used to be called the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, serves the area. The part of Willis ISD joined the college district in 1996. The closest campus is Lone Star College-Montgomery, which also runs the Conroe Center in northern Conroe.

### Public libraries
Montgomery County Memorial Library System runs the R. F. Meador Branch at 709 West Montgomery Street.

## Notable people
* Michael Bishop, former professional football player
* Tina Chandler, IFBB professional bodybuilder
* Jessie Hollins (1970–2009), professional baseball right-handed pitcher
* Marcus Luttrell, Navy SEAL
* D.D. Terry, professional football player
* Cliff Young (1964–1993), professional baseball left-handed pitcher
* Bernard S. Garrett Sr. (September 19, 1925 – September 9, 1999)[1] was an American businessman, investor and banker.[2]

## References
## Other websites
* City of Willis – official website
* Willis Independent School District.
* inWillis.com - The City Guide for Willis, Texas Locals