John Ralph Willis

WILLIS--Prof. John Ralph, 69, of Hightstown, NJ, passed away suddenly at home. Born in Lorain, OH, Prof. Willis received his BA from University of Arizona, his MA from Boston University on a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship, and his Ph.D. from University of London on a Marshall Scholarship. He was a professor at the University of Birmingham (UK), University of Wisconsin, and University of California at Berkeley. Prof. Willis retired from Princeton University after 35 years, as an expert in West African History and Islamic Law. He was a Fellow of the Morgan Library and enjoyed landscape architecture. Son of the late John R., Sr. and Lena Mae Tinch Willis, he is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Anne Jones Willis, and their children, Avery, Kingsley, and Goreleigh; and numerous cousins. Funeral gathering will be held 8:30am Saturday at Glackin/Saul Funeral Home, 136 Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30am Saturday at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 251 Franklin Street, Hightstown. Visitation will be 7-9pm, Friday at the funeral home.