Person:William Willis (88)

About William "Bill" Willis, Jr.

William Clyde "Bill" Willis, Jr. was born 24 March 1924 in McMinn County, Tennessee, the son of William Willis, Sr. (1889-1958) and Grace Guffy )1894-1968). He served his country in World War II as a gunners mate in the United States Navy on the USS Cape JOhnson, USS Thomas J. Rusk and the USS Wolverine. He worked as an electrician and engineer, working for many years at Lockheed Martin at Marietta, Georgia; General Motors; Oak Ridge National Laboratories and retired from Midland Ross [then Honeywell], now Thomas Betts Corporation.

Bill married spouse Betty Burch January 1 1948 in Dalton, Georgia. They had two children together.

Bill Willis passed away 7 May 2017 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga surrounded by his family. He was Survived by two children, Marilyn Willis Heathcote of Pensacola, FL and Larry Joe Willis of Athens, TN. Three grandchildren; Jada M. Leahy MD and Jared R. Heathcote of Pensacola, FL and Talem Willis RN of Los Angeles, CA.

1.   Daily post Athenian (Tennessee). (Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives, 1959-1960).

   W.C. "Bill" Willis Jr. - May 7, 2017
   
   W.C. "Bill" Willis Jr., 93, of Athens, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga surrounded by his family.
   
   A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late William Clyde "Will C." Sr. and Grace Guffey Willis. He was a descendant of the first pioneers in this area.
   
   He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church and was a retired industrial engineer from Thomas & Betts Corporation. He served in World War II in the South Pacific as a gunner's mate on the USS Cape Johnson, USS Thomas J. Rusk and USS Wolverine in the U.S. Navy. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge in Athens.
   
   After retirement, he found great joy completing the restoration of the family farm and sharing many happy years with his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Willis, Jack Lee Willis, Ray Willis and Charles David Willis; and two sisters, Louise Willis Reed and infant sister Betty June Willis.
   
   Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Betty Burch Willis of Athens; one son, Larry Joe Willis of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn Willis and Russell Heathcote of Pensacola, Fla.; three grandchildren and one spouse, LCDR Jada Leahy, M.D., U.S. Navy, and LCDR Robert Leahy, U.S. Navy, of Pensacola, Fla., Talem "T.J." Willis of Los Angeles, Calif., and AO1 Jared Heathcote, U.S. Navy, of Pensacola, Fla.; and one great-grandson, Robert Michael Leahy II of Pensacola, Fla.
   
   Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Dr. Robert Kerr officiating. Interment will follow in Niota Cemetery.
   
   http://www.dailypostathenian.com/obituaries/article_fb5977ce-34c4-11e7-8086-10604b9f0f42.html

2.   United States. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. (Ancestry.com [database online], 2011).

   Name: William Clyde Willis
   Race: White
   Age: 18
   Birth Date: 24 Mar 1924
   Birth Place: Mcminn Co., Tennessee
   Residence Place: Athens, Mcminn, Tennessee
   Registration Date: 30 Jun 1942
   Registration Place: Athens, McMinn, Tennessee
   Employer: Athens Stove Works.
   Weight: 140
   Complexion: Ruddy
   Eye Color: Blue
   Hair Color: Brown
   Height: 58 1/2''
   Next of Kin: Clyde Willis

3.   Find A Grave.

   William Clyde “Speedy” Willis
   BIRTH 24 Mar 1924
   Niota, McMinn County, Tennessee, USA
   DEATH 7 May 2017 (aged 93)
   Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA
   BURIAL
   Niota Cemetery
   Niota, McMinn County, Tennessee, USA
   
   Born in Niota, beloved father and grandfather, married spouse Betty Burch Willis January 1 1948 in Dalton, GA. Married for 70 years, gunners mate in USN having served during WWII. He was an electrician and engineer, having worked for many years at Lockheed Martin in Marietta GA, Oak Ridge National Laboratories and retired from Midland Ross (Now Thomas Betts corp. on Athens. He is Survived by two children, Marilyn Willis Heathcote of Pensacola, FL and Larry Joe Willis of Athens, TN. Three grandchildren; Jada M. Leahy MD and Jared R. Heathcote of Pensacola, FL and Talem Willis RN of Los Angeles, CA. Laycock-Hobbs Mortuary in Athens was in charge of funeral and burial. He was the last one of his generation on all branches of the family. Obituary was published in the Daily Post Athenian.
   
   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198405522