Rebecca Ruth Willis, a proud native of Beckley West Virginia, was the youngest of four children. She would always say “You bet I’m from West By-God Virginia” and smile when she said it. Beckie embraced life and had a lot of fun along the way.
Beckie passed away at home in Florida on November 13th 2010 at the age of 63.
She grew up in West Virginia with her brothers Paul and Jim with one sister Patty. She was the daughter of Shaler and Reva Willis and granddaughter of H.P. and Dora Stone. She went to high school in Wintersville Ohio, graduating with the class of 1966. She married Livio Vinco in February of 1967. Their only child, Christy, was born in April of 1970. Beckie was a loving, caring and devoted Wife and Mother. They moved from Ohio to Florida in 1978, where she would remain for the rest of her days.
One of her favorite hobbies was photography. She loved being on the water and taking photos of the seagulls and pelicans. Her favorite time of day was the sunset. She has numerous breathtaking pictures of the sun going down over the water.
Beckie was very interested in genealogy and researching her family history. In 1991, she traveled for more than two months through the hills of West Virginia finding relatives and visiting locations where her family lived. She was able to spend time with family members she hadn’t been in contact with for many years.
She was an active resident in the New Smyrna Beach community. In 1992, she established her own business ‘Safety In Numbers.’ She created highly reflective house and street numbers to assist with 911 emergency situations. It was rewarding for her to know that she provided a service that would help others.
She is survived by her daughter, Christy Vinco Greene; Son in Law Ron Greene; Granddaughter Kayla Greene; Sister Patricia Darlington; Brother Jim Willis and Sister in Law Shelia Willis. She leaves behind a devoted companion David Mobley. She also has many nieces and nephews.
Beckie was a strong and independent woman. She lived life to the fullest and she did it her way. She never met a stranger and she was the best friend any one could ask for. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
A Life Celebration in her honor will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 4:00 at the Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society Chapel. (map/driving directions)
I am shocked and very saddened by the news of Beckies passing. I was a very close friend of Beckies when she lived on Lawson Ave. in Steubenville. We spent grade school together until she move to Wintersville. Shaler and my father worked together as Electricians and later I became Shalers helper. I spent many supers at Beckies home. She was very proud of her dad and often he would pile us kids into his Cadillac and drive us to John Tons for ice cream. Reva was very proud of Beckie and I can remember her trying to get Becky and me to enter a Jitter Bug Dance contest in Weirton. I could write a small book about all the fun I had growing up with Beckie and her family. Beckie was one of a kind and she will be missed.
Donna (Lucas) Higgins
So sorry for your loss.Beckie and i were friends in Wintersville,we shared a lot of special times together.She was a very beautiful and special person.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
She rests in the palm of the GREAT I AM, and I know we will all be with her again. May God's comforting ways bring you peace at this tragic time.
I am so sorry to hear about your Mother. I was totally shocked when I read the Hearld Star today and her obituary was in there. I don't know if you remember me, when you lived in Wintersville, your Mother and I was very close. We had a lot of good times together. She was a wonderful person. I'm so sorry for your loss.