James Willis, lovingly known by family and friends as Jim, Daddy, Grandpa, or Uncle Jim left this earth from Huntsville, AL on March 17, 2022 to claim his heavenly mansion. Jim was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, a proud US Navy veteran, and a longtime manufacturing and maintenance worker at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Union City, TN.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed UK Wildcat sports, spending time with family and being outdoors. He and his wife Linda were members of Milburn Baptist Church of Milburn, KY for many years.
Jim was born May 8, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA to the late Rev. Lester Willis and the late Agnes Gibson Willis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Linda Watson Willis, by a daughter, Beverly Willis Malm and by a sister Barbara Courtney. He is survived by his daughter, Melinda (Terry) Coleman; brothers, Lester Willis and Mike Willis; sisters, Theresa Orth, Helen Watson, Lola Williams, and Carol Barendregt; grandchildren, Joshua Adams, Billy (April) Dodson, David (Katie) Cary, Jonathan Dodson, and Izaak (Mallory) Cary; and numerous great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Milburn Baptist Church, Milburn, KY on Saturday March 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM with their long time pastor, Bro. Glen Stewart officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Bardwell, KY.
