Jerry Edward Wills, 82, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home. He was born November 8, 1943, in Mobile, Alabama, to the late Dewey and Inez Franks Wills. He was a proud graduate of the University of Alabama. His career took him first to Dallas, Texas with LTV and then to Federal Electric in Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked on the sky lab for NASA, before joining TVA and later the Department of Energy, where he retired. Mr. Wills was a leader in the Boy Scouts of America for over 40 years and he was an active member of Concord Baptist Church for over 50 years.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. (CST) Sunday at Wilson Funeral Home with Pastor Perry Brindley officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 4 until 8 p.m. (CST).
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years Linda Dial Wills; his children Nina Pardue (David) and Jerry E. “Eddie” Wills, II; grandchildren Michelle Pardue, Sarah Pardue, and Sarah Beth Durham (Ben); great-granddaughter Meredith Joy Durham; and nephew Chuck Hester (Jackie).
He was preceded in death by his parents Dewey and Inez Wills and sister Martha Wills Hester.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
