James Dolan “Jim” Willis, age 97, of Huntsville, AL died Saturday, November 6, 2021 after a brief illness. He was born in Queen, NY to Claude and Catherine Willis and spent all of his childhood years there, moving to Atlanta, GA as a college student to attend Georgia Tech.
His college years were interrupted when he was drafted into the Army, where he proudly served with the 406th Infantry in WWII. Mr. Willis was fortunate to be reunited with many of his fellow servicemen during an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
After the end of the war, Jim returned to Atlanta, picked back up where he had left off and finished two degrees, one in Electrical Engineering and the other in Industrial Management.
Mr. Willis began his working career in Bridgeport, CT at GE, moving to Brevard, NC for a job he loved at Olin for 16 years. He moved south to Columbus, GA where he served as Vice President of R.C. Cola and worked also at the Army Base at Ft. Benning.
Jim moved to Huntsville in 1985, finishing up with the Corps of Engineers at Redstone Arsenal. Retirement life was not for him and real estate sales offered much pleasure during his free time.
In 2001, he moved to West Palm Beach, FL to be near his sister, before returning to Huntsville, AL. Mr. Willis was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, AL, where he served on the Parish Council.
Mr. Willis was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Claude; brother, Homer; two sisters, Joan and Virginia.
Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Scooter Willis of Brevard, NC, Patty Smith and husband Jim of Youngsville, NC; two grandchildren, Kyle and wife Caroline Smith of Wake Forest, NC, Jenny Smith of New Haven, CT; two great grandchildren, Cooper and Cole Smith of Wake Forest, NC; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 from 10:00am until 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1055 Hughes Rd, Madison, AL 35758. A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00am in the Chapel of St. John. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in the memory of Jim. Please leave fond memories and condolences for the entire Willis family at www.valhallafunerals.com.
