Frank Joseph Willems, 81, of Paris died July 14, 2000 at his home.

He was a retired insurance agent and farmer and also retired from the Arkansas State Legislature after 26 years of service.

Willems served as State Represntative from 1973 till his retirement in 1999. He was elected to the Arkansas State Legislature in 1972. In accomplishing this, Willems was following in his father's footsteps. John Willems served in the Arkansas House of Representatives for two terms.

Frank was elected 12 times to the Legislature, only once with opposition.

While serving in the House of Representatives, Willems rose to several leadership positions. He was chairman of the House Audit Committee and Southern Legislator Energy Conference.

He served on the Board of Directors of North Logan County Hospital, St. Edward Mercy Hospital, the Florence Crittendon Home for Women and Children and the Area Agency on Aging. He also served at the president of the Logan County Farmer's cooperative for many years and served on the President's Council of Subiaco Abbey.

He was a member of the Paris Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce.

His achievements and contributions have been recognized by many agencies including the Area Agency on Aging, Southern Legislative Council Chairman, North Logan County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year, Mt. Magazine State Park Achievement Award, the Arkansas Medical Society Service Award and many others.

The work he considered his greatest achievement was in convincing fellow lawmakers and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to tranform the top of Mount Magazine into a State Park. He lobbied for the project for twenty years. In 2006, the multi-million dollar Lodge at Mount Magazine and 13 cliffside cabins were opened. One wing of the main building is named after him.

He and his wife Regina were lifelong members of St. Benedict's Parish in Subiaco where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. Frank was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus and a member of the St. Benedict Men's Society.

Rosary and Funeral mass were at St. Benedict Church in Subiaco with burial at St. Benedict Cemetery in Subiaco under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Paris.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Regina Lensing, and his children, Dolores and Mike Hofrichter, Ramona and Harold Keizer of Fort Smith, Mary and Joe Eckart, Roseann and Nick Kennedy of Russellville, Joan and Wayne Davis of McKinney, Texas, Dennis and Norma Willems and John Willems of Paris and Michael and Cathy Willems of Searcy; one sister, Anna Marie Kloke of Tuscon, Arizona, two brothers, Aloys Willems of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, John Willems of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Haskell, Thurman and Ophelia Manus, step siblings. He was the proud grandfather of 35 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Robert Eckart, Michael Hofrichter, Benjamin Davis, Matthew Kennedy, Josh Willems, Jonathan Keizer, Jack Willems, Gregory Hofrichter and all his grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers were the St. Benedicts Mens Society.