Mary Elizabeth Wills (aka. Beti or Beth) was born on November 7, 1963. That’s one fantastic day in history because she landed on earth to share kindness, humor, and love. She lived with her amazing family first in Arlington Heights, Illinois, then they went to Dallas, Texas (Arlington and Plano more specifically), and then they all slowly migrated to Portland, Oregon. Basically, the Wills family loves each other so much they need to live in the same area. Paul, Janet, Gwen, Jenny, Randy, Sam, Nathan, and their extended family have been a bundle of strength and love for many.

Career

Beti started her career at GTE but when she got to Portland in 1993, she began selling printing services for a few shops in town. She brought brains, humor, and stellar service to her clients. Her last job at PVS was her favorite and she loved what she did there for the last 12 years. She officially retired in January of 2022.

Friends

Yep – Beti has many friends. Throughout her life, she has built deep bonds and community wherever she has lived. She is always willing to help others. Her parents modeled what it means to be of service and she certainly carries that torch. Also, she has apparently obtained a substantial Facebook following because her posts are notoriously funny.

Beti’s friends surround her in many circles that include every facet of her life. When relocating to Portland in 1992, she found her tribe in Softball, friendships formed, and then came the ‘Eastside’ – ‘Women-of-the-Woods’ – ‘Burning Man’ – ‘The Breeders’ – Many Many Work Friends – ‘Dodgeball & Dodgebelles’ – and of course friends of friends, that has continued to this day - spanning continents.

Her most recent friend-pack, the BPPE+, have been a source of great comfort, endless laughs, and incredible experiences. You most often will find them on the shore of Eagle Creek outside Estacada, Oregon at Vaune and Joya’s cabin of awesomeness.

Another recent friend-pack has been the Low Bar Corale – a band-led sing-a-long group that ignited her want to play piano and sing more. Beti’s love of music continues to grow stronger all the time.

Loves

Beti has an incredible capacity to love and maintain deep connections with past loves even after break-ups. Mary, Danna, Heather, Sarah and others all shared amazing years with Beti. On June 19, 1999 (before gay marriage was legal), at the Oregon coast surrounded by a huge tribe of friends and family, Beti and Heather Linn had a commitment ceremony that hopefully helped others see that love is love is love.

Dogs

Yeppers. Beti loves dogs. Always has. And they love her. Here’s to her dog-pack!: Doobie, Kahana, Harley, George, Gracie, Emmett, Ziggy, and Pearl. Each of them cuddled hard, loved treats, and couldn’t get enough of Beti.

There’s sooooo much more to Mary Elizabeth Wills. She’s complicated, forgiving, stubborn, resourceful, talented, understanding, smart, pretty, kind, funny, giving, and…she’s 100% Beth Wills and loved deeply.

More random stuff about Beti:

·       She loves casinos and usually wins enough to pay for the trips

·       If she goes to the store for a potato, she comes home with 6 bags of groceries, ready to make a feast for the friends she just invited over

·       Yes – her current dog is named Pearl and her favorite chair is named Pearl – confusing huh?

·       She did 5 years at Burning Man with Heather, Spike, Aida, Sara, and Eghan. Then 3 more summers renting luxury house boats on Lake Billy Chinook. 20 women, a slide, jet skis, a a hot tub….what could go wrong? Many Many “Women of the Woods” - with up to 80 on a single camping trip

·       Her sister Jenny makes her laugh everyday

·       Her brother Randy is her loving stabilizer and partner in crime

·       Maker’s Mark + OJ has been her cocktail of choice for years

·       Her tattoos consist of an infinity symbol wrapped in flames with the words “Mi Vida Loca” hidden under it, a hammer, a compass, a naked woman hanging from a tree dipping her fingers in water, favorite numbers, and more – each reflecting a key moment in her life

·       When renting a beach house, Beti will make the feast of fresh crabs, melted butter, garlic bread, and Caesar salad all dumped on a tablecloth for non-utensil feasting plus easy clean up

·       Pinnocle was her game of choice for years all due to the games hosted at Widen & Kennedy and then weekly battles at McPeet’s. Poker has also been a fun fav

·       She might object but she did have a mullet in her youth

·       Grew up with softball, basketball, volleyball and rugby, until she found her ultimate love of dodgeball - Can you say National Champions? A little known fact is that she was the first female to pitch a no-hitter in the state of Illinois

·       A new car can be found in her driveway every year

·       Beti can get super mushy

·       She has traveled to Mexico too many times to count

·       Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are her surprising singer crushes

·       Beti needs a laundry fairy

·       Back in about 1996, she began hosting Dead Celebrity parties when she lived in an old church across from the Laurelthirst Public house – something about a girl who got stuck upside down in her sunroof?

·       Beti has always loved fishing & caught her biggest salmon ever in Sept of 2021 with Joya & Vaune by her side - letting her real in ‘Walter’ on her own

·       Estes Park, Colorado was her family’s favorite vacation spot