Willis Roland Neighbors

Willis Roland Neighbors, age 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 22, 2026.  Willis Roland Neighbors was born to Eliza Beaivory Peyton and Richard Hanna Neighbors in Los Angeles, CA, on Nov. 30, 1939. He had four brothers and five sisters.

He met Zelma Thracia Dawn Parker at a pastor's wife's dinner. Willis and Zelma were united in holy matrimony on Feb. 16, 1963. Throughout their married life, Willis and Zelma lived in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Riverside, California and Klamath Falls, Ore.   Willis and Zelma raised six children Thracia Neighbors-Crim, Rollin Neighbors, Alena Neighbors-Wagreich, Anita Neighbors, Tyrone Neighbors and Deborah Neighbors.  Two daughters predeceased him, Angela Denise Neighbors and Angelina Angelette Neighbors.  He dearly welcomed and loved his daughter-in-law Cheryl Neighbors and his son-in-law Richard Wagreich.

Willis had a jovial spirit and a giving heart. After graduating from Jordan High School in Los Angeles, California, he attended Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to learn masonry.  He gave his heart to God at the age of 20.  He was taught by many in the Church of God ministry of note Carrie Fletcher.  He led two Church of God congregations in Los Angeles, California over the span of 15 years. He was also an evangelist until he was 85 years old in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; Whittier, Monterey, and Seaside, California; Newark, Ohio; Canby and Klamath Falls, Oregon.

He worked for Rockwell International (now Boeing) as a machinist technician for 35 years.  He had a passion for traveling since he was 16 years old.  He shared his love of traveling with his wife, Zelma and children. He and Zelma had a passion for meeting people through their ministries. Willis loved education.  He wrote down poems, and quotes on which he reflected.  He was fascinated with colleges/universities and would tour various colleges and universities.  He loved a variety of music spanning across Gospel, Opera, classical, and World music, his favorite being Gospel music.  He also had a passion for watching sports such as football, basketball, track and field, gymnastics, skiing, and figure skating.  When he was young, he enjoyed gymnastics and square dancing. He also had a love for food and was interested in trying foods from various cultures. 

Willis is survived by his six children, 3 stepchildren (Tony Greene, Antoine Wilson, and Sarbina Wilson), eight grandchildren Sheri Noble and husband Casey Noble, John Gerhardt, Gregory Grant, Triston Neighbors, Paige Juaregui, Khaya Neighbors, Tymen Neighbors, and Maya Neighbors, two great-grandchildren Isaac Noble and Derrick Noble, and sibling Dr. Ira Arthell Neighbors. He also left behind many beloved friends and family.  Willis was pre-deceased by his wife of 48 years, Zelma Thracia Dawn Parker Neighbors, his second wife for 7 years Faye Eden, his brothers and sisters: Hoover Curtis Medlock, Eliza III Beaivory Neighbors Harvey, Richard III Neighbors, Rosy Neighbors, Mary Isabelle Neighbors, Daisy Melinda Neighbors Niles, Dora Jean Neighbors Williams, and Paul Roman Neighbors.

He volunteered at the mission run by Mother Betty Henderson.  Donations to the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission, located at 1931 Mission Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 will be welcomed.

Funeral services and celebration of life will be Friday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd, located at 2680 Memorial Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601-5546, (541-883-3458). Visitation Thursday, April 30, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the chapel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willis Roland Neighbors, please visit our floral store.