Willis Ruell Bettis

Willis Ruell Bettis, age 88, of Cumming passed away Friday September 14th, 2012 with his family at his side.

Born March 1, 1924 to the late C. Roy Bettis and Lillie Mae Bryant Bettis, he was a native of Forsyth County with a lifelong association with the Midway Community. He was a member and deacon of Longstreet Baptist Church.



Ruell was a building contractor who was known for many of his custom homes throughout North Georgia. One of his final projects before retirement was a complex post and beam home. Know n for his penchant for perfection, Ruell employed "hands on" construction techniques including joining his construction crew in sawing rafters and trim work. Recently one of his favorite homes styled in a manner reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs succumbed to a shopping center development. When told of the homes destruction, a home embellished with native stone, copper, cedar roofing and redwood, Ruell was brought to tears. His passion for his homes explains why many of those homes remain in high demand for updating and remodeling years after his retirement.



Ruell also had a love for travel. His travel included visits to Australia, Canada, Greece, and Turkey. He especially loved Biblical connections with his travel adventures. A visit in the footsteps of Paul at Ephesus was one of his favorite travel experiences that would dominate his conversation for years to follow.



Growing up in Forsyth County, Georgia, Ruell was quite the sportsman and outdoorsman. Well into adulthood, Ruell enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. Many remember his pitching and hitting abilities decades later. A devout Braves fan, Ruell coached Pony League baseball. A love for fishing and hunting was buoyed by the construction of Lake Sydney Lanier, a place where Ruell spent many of his weekends as a young man. As he aged, golf became a passion.



Ruell served as Chairman of the Forsyth County Hospital Board for several years as well as on the advisory board of a local bank and a housing authority. A fifty year member of the Ducktown Masonic Lodge, Ruell also served his community as PTA president at Midway Elementary School. While in that capacity, Ruell was trusted with interviewing and assisting with the hiring of school principals. He was also employed to design school building additions despite lacking an engineering degree. Known for his story telling and encouragement of young people, many in the community often sought out his wisdom and advice until surgery affected his abilities in 2010. Those close to Ruell were amazed at his tenacity for living having survived a ruptured appendix in 1942 during a time that antibiotics were not generally available. Known to have "nine lives," Ruell also survived strokes, heart attacks, and partial blindness without giving up on an amazing desire to live.


He is survived by his wife Mary Jo Robbs Bettis of 60 years, son Phill Bettis and daughter in law Wanda Bettis, , son Stan Bettis and daughter in law Paige Bettis, son, Bryan Bettis and daughter in law Melanie Bettis and grandchildren, Emily Bettis, Barry Bettis, Spenser Bettis, Hannah Bettis, Adam Bettis, Addison Bettis and Blake Bettis, sister in laws Lunell Robbs, Mary Jo Robbs, and Betty Jean Cato.


Funeral Services will be held on Sunday September 16, at 2:00 P.M. at the Ingram Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Carnes, Rev. Terry Caylor, Rev. Pete Martin and Rev. John Lummus officiating. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M., and on Sunday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service



Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.