When Barbara Decker speaks about her late husband, Larry Willis, her words carry a mix of love, gratitude, and admiration.
“He had a gentle spirit,” Barbara says. “Larry loved nature and people, and he got along with everyone. He was a great listener, always supportive — especially of his family.”
Larry’s devotion was perhaps most evident with his and Barbara’s two grandchildren, now 20 and 17. “When they were younger, they were always over at our house. Larry was an artist, so he was always setting something up for them — an art studio in the basement, Halloween contests, and singing in the car. He created so many beautiful memories,” Barbara recalls.
Larry’s passions extended beyond family. He loved hiking, traveling, mountain climbing, and exploring the world. He also had a curious mind, dreaming when he was young of becoming a chemist.
Barbara and Larry shared nearly 40 years of marriage. “We worked well together as a team, but most importantly, we loved each other,” she reflects.
“When he passed, I knew he was at peace. I wanted to find a way to honor him — to give back in a way that would help others, just as Larry would have wanted.”
A Fund to Support Memory Care Education
Larry lived with Lewy body dementia, a disease that impacts both those diagnosed and the families and caregivers who walk alongside them. As a member of the WesleyLife board of directors, Barbara knows first-hand WesleyLife’s commitment to mission, service, and compassion to all older adults and their families, with its communities and home services offering services specifically for those with dementia.
To honor Larry and help others who are walking similar paths, Barbara has pledged $50,000 to WesleyLife Foundation to create the Larry Willis Endowed Memory Care Education Fund. Beginning in 2026, this permanent endowment will generate around $2,500 annually to expand WesleyLife’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) seminars and allow for the flexibility to meet future needs in memory care education.
The Foundation hopes to grow the endowment to $100,000, which would provide $5,000 annually in perpetuity. These funds will strengthen training programs, improve care approaches, and ultimately enrich the lives of those navigating the challenges of dementia.
“I’ve always been interested in education,” Barbara says. “If Larry could help someone else, he would want to. Establishing this fund felt like the perfect way to carry forward his legacy.”
Continuing Larry’s Impact
Barbara’s gift reflects not only her love for Larry but also her belief in the power of knowledge, compassion, and preparation. “This is an opportunity to help both the person experiencing dementia and the families and caregivers who are walking that journey,” she says.
With her pledge, Barbara is inviting others to join her in ensuring that WesleyLife professionals continue to possess the tools and education needed to offer the highest level of care.
Watch and listen to more of Barbara and Larry’s story here. Then, if you would like to honor Larry’s memory — or the memory of someone you love — by contributing to the Larry Willis Endowed Memory Care Education Fund, please email foundation@wesleylife.org or give online and add “Larry Willis Endowed Memory Care Education Fund” in the comments.
