Walton Orwood Willis

                 

Walton "Walt" Orwood Willis was born on June 25, 1943 in Hamilton, Mississippi to Orwood Willis and Madia Boyd Curtis.

 He attended school at Franklin Academy, Lee Middle and Lee High School. His family knew many stories of his high school days, including his drag racing of which his mother was unaware. After she discovered his secret, she assisted him with establishing the racetrack which is now known as Columbus Speedway. He maintained a close relationship with his high school friends and enjoyed their monthly luncheons. After high school, he attended East Mississippi Community College where he met many lifelong friends. There, his interest was more taxi-driver than academics. Some of his best times of his life were at EMCC.

In 1966, he married the love of his life, Brenda Betts. Walt and Brenda moved to Caledonia in 1971. Walt had a varied career. He was a farmer, real-estate salesman, real-estate developer, and the most joy of his life-a politician. Prior to being elected mayor, he assisted with organizing Caledonia Jaycees and Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of these organizations.  In 1973, he was elected mayor of Caledonia. At the age of 29, he was one of the youngest mayors in the state of Mississippi. He was elected to this office for four terms. During this period, some of the many accomplishments of the town board were purchasing the Caledonia Town Hall, Library, Community Center, Ola J. Pickett Park, establishing the Caledonia Fire Department, and expanding the Caledonia Water System. While serving as mayor, he visited air bases in Texas. When it was time for departure, there was trouble with the planes. Air-Force One was sent to bring Walt and his colleagues back home. During his fourth term as mayor, he ran and was elected as District One Supervisor of Lowndes County. This was a life-long dream for Walt. The position of supervisor was not about himself but about helping others. The act of helping others truly brought Walt joy. This he did whether he was finding jobs for others, helping solve personal problems, or just performing marriages. Later he was elected to two more terms. He often said his greatest accomplishment as supervisor was his vote to lease Lowndes General Hospital to Baptist. Knowing this vote would cost him his job, he knew it was the right vote for the people of our area so they could receive the best medical care. He was currently serving as Monroe County Electric Power Association Board of Director for Caledonia-Steens. He was appointed by three governors to serve as a board member for the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District.

Throughout Walt and Brenda’s marriage, they traveled all over the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Canada. However, some of the best trips were the short ones. If it was on television, they were on their way to see what had happened.

 Not only was Walt dedicated to his community but also to his family. Walt often said he had a wonderful life and owed his successes to the strong women in his life- his grandmother, mother, wife and daughters. On December 24th, he and Brenda celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

On Sunday, March 20th, Walt was welcomed home by a house full of his family, friends, and members of the Caledonia community which he so dearly loved with prayers and song worship. He lived his last days surrounded by his family and his friends. He passed away at his home on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23rd.

He was preceded in death by his parents and step-brother Charles (Dot) Curtis, Corinth, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, daughters Bettsy Ellis, Caledonia, Jacque (Matt) Furnari, Caledonia. Grandchildren Leon Ellis IV, Caledonia, Haley (Ricky) Lee, Caledonia, Mark Furnari, Caledonia, and Jack Furnari, Caledonia. One great-grandson Carter Lee of Caledonia. Brother-in-law Kenneth (Nancy )Betts, Hamilton, MS, Uncle, Raymond Boyd, Hamilton, Step-sister Rachel (Donald) Allsup, Macon, Step-brothers George Curtis (Brenda), Knoxville, TN, and David (Lynn) Curtis, Ethelsville, AL, and his beloved cat, Pepper, and dog, Roxy.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.  A funeral service will be held Sunday, March 27, 2022, at 4:00 PM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Brother James Black, Brother Don Harding, and Brother Grant Mitchell officiating. Interment will be at Rowan Cemetery, Caledonia, MS, with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers include Randy Boyd, Leon C. Ellis IV, Matt Furnari, Mark Furnari, Jack Furnari, Sam Lawrence, Richard Lee, and Mike McCool. Honorary Pallbearers include Fred Chappell, Wayne Duncan, Robert Jacobs, Tommy Kidd, Bill Lawrence, Roy Lee Lindsey, Quinn Parham, Doc Perkins, Harry Sanders, Jeff Smith, Baptist Hospice, Caledonia Texaco Coffee Drinkers, Doctor Chris Lebrun and Fresenius Staff, Flint Hill Church Members, Lee High Class of 1962, Monroe County Electric Power Board and Employees, Tenn-Tom Water Valley Management District Board and Employees, and Willis Plaza Residents.

Memorials may be made to Flint Hill Church 164 Old Honnoll Mill Rd, Caledonia, MS 39740, or Ola J Pickett Park Splash Pad P.O. Box 100, Caledonia, MS 39740.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7