Willa Ruth (Howell) Bullock

Willa Ruth Howell-Bullock, 88, of Peru, IN, passed away peacefully at home on January 22, 2021. The daughter of King E. and Eva Howell, Willa was born February 13, 1932 in Peru. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Irene Parrett and Marjorie Trook, and brothers James, John and Harold Howell.

Willa was an award-winning Hoosier artist. Her works have been featured in numerous prestigious juried shows, including The Hoosier Salon’s competitions in Indianapolis; Prince Gallery’s Oil Painters of America exhibition in Chicago; the First Annual Great Lakes Regional Art Exhibition in Cleveland; the Fort Wayne Women’s Juried Art Show; and the Indiana State Fair.

Willa’s major awards include Outstanding Work, Any Medium (1992 and 1982) and a Merit Award for traditional floral work (1990) from The Hoosier Salon; Semi-Finalist in the Floral Competition sponsored by The Artist’s Magazine (1986); and first-place awards in many regional exhibitions, including the Fort Wayne Women’s Juried Art Show (1989).

Her numerous solo shows have included exhibitions at The Hoosier Salon Gallery and The Circle Theatre, both in Indianapolis. She was a member of the Brown County Art Guild.

Following study at John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Willa worked at both ends of the artistic spectrum, in both fine and commercial art, for more than two decades. In 1979, she limited her scope to creative work in oil. She since has won widespread recognition for her realistic landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, and for her preservation, through art, of central Indiana’s historic structures.

Her subject matter ranged from Paris street scenes to rural Midwestern landscapes. Her work is found in numerous corporate, public and private collections.

Willa is survived by her husband, Donald E. Bullock of Peru and her children, Cheryl Renee Harrison of Tarpon Springs, FL and Ronald Lee (Beth) Bullock of Circleville, Ohio. Willa also is survived by five grandchildren: Tyler (Jessi) Bullock, Tim (Kristen) Bullock, and Tedd Bullock, all of Ohio; Trevor (Rebecca) Bullock of Illinois; and Zachary Miller of North Carolina; 11 great-grandchildren; three nieces, Dawn Trook of Florida; Beth Ann Hardee of Peru; and Penny Bailey of Arizona; and two nephews, Dean Bullock of Florida and Mike Howell of Peru.

Visitation will be held from 11am to 1pm on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana.  Funeral service will follow at 1pm, with Pastor Jim Loft officiating.  Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.

Memorial donations may be made to Premier Hospice and Peru Rolling Chapel.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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