Willie T. Willis

Willis and her husband Willie T. Willis, who also is a retired teacher, have been married 41 years.They have two sons and six grandchildren.

"I'm concerned that people understand that I'm not running for self-recognition but to give back to the community because Longview has given me so much," Willis said.

She was raised here, and she married here.She and her husband also raised their family in Longview."There's just a bond here."

If elected to the City Council, Willis wants to work on economic development issues, specifically encouraging businesses to locate in empty buildings that are sitting "idle" in south Longview.

"I would like to see the public transit come true because I feel it is needed," she said.

Also, she said she wants to help senior citizens and disabled people, pulling from her own experiences as a retiree and work she has done with people with disabilities.

"I couldn't do it by myself, but I would want to work with the organizations and bring ideas to council" to help those two groups, Willis said.

Willis has a bachelor of arts degree from Texas College and a master's of education with a certificate in counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University.She has other certifications as well.

She also is an active volunteer.Willis serves on the Gregg County Adult Protective Services Advisory Board and the Judson Middle School Strategic Improvement Council.She also is a sixth-generation member of St. Mark's CME Church, which she said is the oldest black church in Longview at 135 years.

Willis is the fourth person to file in the May 4 election, which includes three seats on the Longview City Council.

Willis is the only person to have filed so far for District 3, and incumbent Councilman Dr. Andy Mack is the only person to have filed for District 4. Filing for those two spots ends March 20.

Two people have filed as candidates in the special election to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Margo Talley.