Willie Delbert Tivis

Graveside services for Willie "Delbert" Tivis, 81, of Clovis will be held Saturday, at 2:00 pm, November 6, 2021 at Floyd Cemetery, Floyd, New Mexico. Reception to follow at Floyd Senior Citizen Center from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Sean Heaton, Jessica Uranga (Eric), Chelsea Brenner, Josh Tivis (Kayla), Lance Watson (Grace), Ashlee Heaton, Paige Brenner, Logan Watson, Jodi Singh (Pashi), Drew Jacobo, Dylan Davis, Parker Davis, Jami Tivis, and Jera Tivis.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm, on Friday, November 5 at Wheeler Mortuary.

Willie “Delbert” Tivis was born October 2, 1940, in Portales, New Mexico, to the home of Bill and Lyndell Tivis and died October 28, 2021, at the age of 81. Delbert grew up in Pep, New Mexico, graduating from Dora High School where he played basketball and held the title of Homecoming King. All additional education was self-taught through books and manuals.

On June 9, 1963, he married Pearlia Carlisle in Floyd, New Mexico. The couple lived in Portales, New Mexico until 1966 at which time they moved to Clovis, New Mexico. In 1969 the couple moved to their current residence where they owned 3 acres and Delbert was able to enjoy and take care of the many animals he loved, especially his chickens and according to his wife “his first love”. The couple had four children: Kelly, Lisa, Kacee and Lori. Delbert loved his children, grandkids and great-grandkids and enjoyed spending time with them. He had nicknames for each of his children: Kelly (Bottle Rocket), Lisa (Kristine), Kacee (Blonde Bomber) and Lori (Tornado) and nicknames for all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He coached Kelly’s little league baseball team “The Bulldogs” for several years. Delbert loved hunting and camping, taking his family out many times during their childhoods. Delbert was highly regarded for his integrity, honesty, and work ethic. He was especially known for his sense of humor and unique laugh.

He is survived by his wife, Pearlia, his son, Kelly Tivis (Glenda) of Goodman, Missouri, his daughters: Lisa Jacobo (Andrew) of Clovis, New Mexico, Kacee Brenner of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and Lori Davis (Eric) of Flagstaff, Arizona. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Sean Heaton, Jessica Uranga (Eric), Chelsea Brenner, Joshua Tivis (Kayla), Lance Watson (Grace), Ashlee Heaton, Paige Brenner, Logan Watson, Jodi Singh (Pashi), Drew Jacobo, Dylan Davis, Parker Davis, Jami Tivis, and Jera Tivis; his great grandchildren: Manny Avalos, Andy Avalos, Arcis Uranga, Samuel Uranga, Ian Uranga, Malakai Tivis, Aspen Heaton, Connor Watson, Jackson Parkhurst, Adler Tivis, Caleb Uranga and Emberlee Tivis; a sister, Buna Cathey of Portales, New Mexico, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred Hill, and his brother W. T. Tivis.

To send flowers to the family please visit our flower store. Or in lieu of flowers, please donate to Cal Farley’s Boys and Girls Ranch at CalFarley.org.

P.S. Go Cowboys!!!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willie Delbert Tivis, please visit our floral store.