Portion of FM 1097 in Willis dedicated to Army Specialist Joey Lenz

The portion of FM 1097 between I-45 and Lake Conroe Hills Drive is now known as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway after a dedication ceremony Sept. 19, according to an Aug. 21 news release.

The bill to dedicate the roadway portion to Lenz, House Bill 2143, was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 24.

Some context

Lenz was serving in the Army at Fort Hood, Texas, when he died Feb. 1, 2022, from a heart condition, according to the news release. Unaware of his heart condition, Lenz was prescribed anxiety medications that should not have been prescribed to people with heart conditions.

In response to Lenz’s death, U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell introduced a bill, the Joey Lenz Act of 2025, in Congress to mandate an in-person physical and comprehensive blood panel for all active service military members.

Quote of note

“This highway bears Joey’s name, but his story carries a message for every soldier: you are worth protecting. Protect. Prevent. Honor. Serve,” Margie Taylor, Lenz's mother, said via news release.