Birth date: Mar 24, 1955 Death date: Sep 15, 2015
Carol Bristow Wills, 60, of Austin, TX passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2015 in Houston, TX. Mrs. Wills was preceded in death by her mother; Donna Bristow. She is survived by her husband; Dick Wills, step-son; Eric Wills, father Read Obituary
I'm late responding to Carol's death and I apologize. We were out of pocket on vacation and heard about it only later.
I am still in shock and deeply saddened by this news and my heart goes out to Dick, Robert, Susan, Nancy, Kevin and Craig and Nelda (Aunt Von).
My last sight of Carol came at sister Ida's funeral when she turned and gave us her beautiful smile as we entered the chapel. She seemed so at peace. I will never forget her or that special moment.
May you rest in peace, my beautiful niece, Carol.
All my love,
Aunt Mary Borm
My thoughts are with family and friends.
I met Carol in 1987, where I heard her play the guitar. It was one of my first meetings with her. Rest Carol.
Regards,
Shirley Trapani
I met Carol as a fledgling Mental Health Worker at the Austin State Hospital in the long-ago world of 1980. Within a few weeks she became my immediate supervisor...and later a pure and valued colleague. Carol was one of the bright spots in that place, and as our career paths diverted and re-converged from time to time over the years, I found her steadfast, optimistic attitude to be a source of predictable, reliable comfort...though I will admit to having teased her about it on occasion. It was always delightful to reconnect with her, though it was all too infrequent and brief when we did. She'll always be part of my "centerpiece memory" of a time and place where I had my eyes opened to the travails of others,..and what good might be done in the face of it. That was Carol. Godspeed dear girl. -Ron Nottebart
Carol was one of the original staff at Trinity Treatment Center, a specialized psychiatric unit serving people who had developmental disabilities (lifelong) PLUS additional psychiatric/behavioral disabilities. Their needs had not been well served in either psych-only or DD-only settings, and the DD-AND-psych specialized treatment approach (which now seems so obvious) was in its infancy when TTC opened. The job at TTC was Carol's first after graduation from school, and--wonder of wonders!--she had not been infected with the "if it hasn't already been done, it probably can't be done" attitude. That woman would try anything it took to get a person with profound language disabilities to focus, to interact, to express feelings in what ever way was possible. After becoming a supervisor, she modeled that spirit in a way that enabled her supervisees to make the most of their (IMO considerable) talents. In time, as the lawsuit that gave engendered services like TTC in Texas was settled, the state's commitment to the MI/DD population (and, indeed to services for all disabled populations) dwindled, TTC was left without sufficient resources to accomplish its original mission and the staff moved on to other service opportunities. Carol went on to work in and then lead the quality assurance program at Austin State Hospital and later served at the state school for the deaf before her retirement. (I'm not certain, but I think she may have had, as I did, some hearing disability.) I never heard her say a mean word to or about anybody, but let it be noted that when she needed to she could tell you to shape up (and how to do it) in ways you could not ignore. I retired from ASH 18 years ago, and to this day Carol and the people she led are the ones I remember with greatest respect and fondness. It is customary in my faith tradition to say at the point "May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace," but I can't imagine Carol resting. If there is a heaven, I bet she is organizing the cherubs in an activity that involves music and dancing, and finally dissolving into helpless heavenly laughter. Don Boyd
Carol, is at Rest In Eternal Peace. She would light up any room, always a sweet disposition. Condolences to her family
Carol was one of the most caring, insightful & talented person/music therapist I've ever known. I learned so much from her professionally during my years at Austin State Hospital. I know she will find comfort in paradise. May her memory be eternal! My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Debra Woodruff
It was a great pleasure for me to work with Carol for seven years at Austin State Hospital. What a wonderful woman of faith! She will be greatly missed. May her memory be eternal.
Carol has meant so much to me as a friend and as a mentor. She hired me in 1984 as a Therapist Tech at the Austin State Hospital. In the 30 years that followed, she was always there for me. May Her Memory Be Eternal!
I am so very very sorry. Carol was a beautiful, brave lady with such strong faith. My heart breaks for her family as I know how deeply she will be missed. Our love and prayers are with you now. Teri Keatley,
