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James Willis Obituary
Jim is survived by his wife, Jennifer Anne (Wernli) Willis; and three children, Keara Dane, Jasper Aden and Oliver Finn Willis of Holly Springs, NC; parents, Dean and Elizabeth Willis of Fuquay-Varina, NC; sister, Elizabeth Riggleman and her husband, Timothy of Little Silver, NJ; and three nieces, Elizabeth, Alexis and Bailey.
The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St., Apex, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Willis Family Education Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Willis
Liz Morris
May 27, 2010
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Willis, Lisa, and Jenni,
I am so sorry for your loss. Jimmy was truly one of the good guys. You are all in my prayers forever.
Jackie Rivera
May 22, 2010
I was deeply saddened to hear of Jims passing. I last saw him 20 years ago. My deepest condolences to Jims family and friends.
May 20, 2010
Dean,
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family for the tragic loss of your son, Jim. UPS Partner, Al Hughes, The Villages, Fl.
May 20, 2010
Our prayers are with the entire family.
Did not know Jim, but I worked with his Dad at UPS for many years.
Rest in peace Jim
Doris and Ted Stoebling
Port Charlotte,Florida
May 20, 2010
Our prayers for his wife, children, and parents.
We have never met Jim but I worked with his father Dean for many years at UPS.
Doris and Ted Stoebling
Port Charlotte,Florida
Al Worrell
May 20, 2010
Betty and Dean, So sorry to hear of your loss. It is said to be the hardest thing in life to bury one of your children. Our prayers are with you. Sorry we have lost touch over the years. I believe the last time I saw you both was at the NJ reunion in Las Vegas. That now seems many years ago.
Bonnie Tilly
May 19, 2010
Betty Ann, Dean and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God will be by your side for a long time to help you get through this unbearable sadness.
May 19, 2010
My thoughts & prayers go out to the family & friends, Jim was a very kind & loving person, just like the rest of his family. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
rest in peace Jim
Denise Mercolino (Scisco)
David C Scisco
May 17, 2010
It is sad to hear of the lost of a friend and acquaintance. I will always remember the times spent out at the track helping with the racecars or the parties at the your home. Too the Willis's I send you my condolences and sympathy go out to you all during your time of morning.
David C Scisco
Cherlene August - Cooper
May 16, 2010
I haven't seen Jim in 20 years but will never forget that smile. We shared a lot of fun memories during our years at RBR. I pass by his parents house several times a week on the way to my moms and always think of the fun times we had there. Based on everything I have seen and read... though too short... Jim had the life he deserved...a wonderful loving wife and beautiful children. My love and prayers to the Willis family. RIP Jim
Ken Dammann
May 16, 2010
Twenty years have gone by since the last time I saw Jim. Looking at his picture there is one thing I remember most; Jim's warm smile. My deepest condolences to the Willis family.
Will Powers
May 15, 2010
I haven't seen Jim since we graduated from high school, but I know that if I saw him he would have a warm hand-shake and a warm smile for me. I spent a lot of time playing football with Jim for the Bobcats and the Bucs. I can remember lining up next to him on the Bobcat line where he played center. What a nice guy! For all the years I knew Jim and all the time we spent together on and off the field, I can't remember him ever being any other way but with a big smile; big and strong and ready to live the day and have some fun doing it. He had a great sense of humor and a great big warm personality. I remember Jim being very close with his family as well, and I know he will be sorely missed by them.
I feel lucky to have known Jim and to have spent a few hours of play with him on this planet. He always lifted my spirit. And I send my prayers out to him from my heart that the angels light his way. I wish him love and light, happiness and peace on his journey, and I look forward to seeing him again some day...
Jimi #60 with the Red Bank Bobcats back around 1985
Will Powers
May 15, 2010
Chad Palumbo
May 15, 2010
Jim was a great, fun loving person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
LeRoi Jones
May 14, 2010
Jimmy was a great football player. We played when we were kids for the Red Bank Bobcats. I played on the line with Jim and I can remember that he was an important part of our success. He did everything right and made it easy for our backs to score. He believed that we could win every sunday, and we did! He was a leader and a great person. He was a great father, a great race car driver, and a great man! He will be missed. My prayers go out to his family.
Tony & Margi Siscone
May 13, 2010
Too soon, too young! Rest In Peace Jim...Our prayers are with you and your family.
Richard Dickie
May 13, 2010
I came to know Jim while working on erosion control projects in Chatham County. He was a joy to work with, full of good humor and professionalism. His passing is a loss for so many, but his life added a lot to mine.
May 12, 2010
Sorry for your loss ,Our thought and prayers with your family.Rest in peace Jim . " Jimmy and Dawn Carpenter " ( Manchester N.J )
Fischel Racing
May 12, 2010
May our thoughts and prayers comfort you and your family in these tough times. May Jim rest in peace. God bless
Susan Simpson
May 12, 2010
The thoughts and prayers of the Wall Stadium Family are with the entire Willis Family at this time. Jim will be missed by all. God Speed.
Florence Nolan
May 12, 2010
Elizabeth,Betty and Dean...I am truly blessed and honored to have known Jim and will always cherish the memories I have with all of you. I will always remember the nights at Wall Stadium, parties poolside in Little Silver and just being a part of the Willis clan so many years ago. My heart is with you and Jenni and her family during this difficult time. May Jim rest peacefully and enjoy the never ending racetrack in the sky
Holly Spring
May 12, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I met Jim through local erosion programs. He was a great guy, always had a smile, a word of advice or encouragement. He will be greatly missed.
April (Gardner) Casperson
May 11, 2010
Jenni, I am truely sorry for your loss. May you and your children find comfort in your memories and love that you shared. You are in my thoughts and daily prayers.
Judy Easter
May 11, 2010
Betty,Dean, Lisa, Jenni and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest sympathy and know we will be thinking about you. Betty and Dean, you raised a wonderful son who turned out to be a wonderful husband and father. He will be truely missed. All Our Love and Prayers, Judy and Alan
Ainsley Hogan
May 11, 2010
Jenni - so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you, your children and the entire family. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gabi Jones
May 11, 2010
I had the pleasure to work with Jim at the Raleigh Regional Office/Land Quality Section. He was a great friend/coworker. His humor, quick wit and pranks will surely be missed. My thoughts are with the entire family. So sorry for your loss.
Elizabeth Kinlein
May 11, 2010
Jenni, I am thinking of you, and continually keeping you and your precious children in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for you loss. May the Lord bring you comfort and peace through this very difficult time. ~Betty~
Judy and Bonnie (Ryder)
May 11, 2010
Liz and Dean, Please accept our deepest sympathy at this very difficult time. We want you to know our thoughts are with you and your family....and with "little" Jimmy running all around the backyard in Red Bank, NJ.
Laura Edmonds Webber
May 11, 2010
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, Jenni. May peace be with you and your families.
Mary Kavookjian
May 11, 2010
I'm so sorry for your loss.Jim will be missed very much by all who knew him. He was a great man. He made my nights at Wall stadium so much fun watching him race. I am proud to say I knew him and although I haven't seen him in a few years I still considered him a friend. I'm praying for you and I hope the memories you have with him will help you through this tough time. God Bless you all. Mary Kavookjian Rumson NJ
Darren Burdge
May 11, 2010
Rest in Peace Jim!!! God Speed...
Megan Thomas
May 11, 2010
Jenni and the entire Willis Family...we are truly sorry for your loss...Jim was a GREAT, GREAT guy...may all the stories bring smiles and memories to your kids and all of you, when the sun can shine on you again....God Speed
sincerely,
Megan & Tim Thomas
Tara Allden
May 11, 2010
"Lucky" is truly the right word for how I feel to have been on the receiving end of Jim's smile, wit and humor. Usually, it was a quick word and wave in passing that made my day. Peace be with you, Jim. My heart is with your family.
Mia Dickey
May 11, 2010
Jenni, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children. Mia
Kevin Eyres
May 11, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Willis family in their time of need. Jim was a good man and a good competitor on and off the track. You will be missed. Godspeed.
George Retschle
May 11, 2010
I had the pleasure of working with Jim on a few occassions on development-related issues. I always came away from a meeting or conversation with Jim thinking - now, that's someone I enjoy working with. A true professional, but very practical and down to earth. My most sincere condolences to Jim's family and to his colleagues at Chatham County.
Will Copeland
May 11, 2010
Jim, Thanks for all you did for Chatham County, NC. We as citizens will see your hard work for many years to come. Rest in peace.
Barry Rizzo
May 10, 2010
It is with the greatest of sadness that I receive this news. Jim was a friend thru our days at Red Bank Regional High School, playing football and sitting next to each other in several classes. I remember the day both of us got reprimanded for not paying attention and screwing around on the practice field. We were both sent to "the hill" for punishment which consisted of running up and down numerous times. Jim and I both saw the futility in this activity and decided to sit that one out. Taking up a vantage point of being able to see the coaches prior to their arrival worked well for us that day; for me, there was nobody better to spend a fall afternoon with.
Now with 20 years passing by without a word, only memories of his jovial nature and easy going ways prevail. I was hoping of our reconnection, with my new found passion of race cars and sponsorship of a Wall Raceway stock car, but realize that this opportunity has too passed me by. As my roadway of life has taken many twists and turns, this serves as a reminder to appreciate each day and cherish those we love.
My deepest condolences to the Willis family.
Respectfully,
Dr. Barry Rizzo
Laura King
May 10, 2010
You will be truly missed. May the light of your soul shine down on your family and loved ones. Rest in Peace
John "Tag" Tagliamonte
May 10, 2010
Jim, In 2001 when I was able to work along side you I got to know soo much more about you with all the time we spent together. I'm very honered to say you are a true roll model to many and I will always admire how you were always able to make anybody smile even in tough times. Im very happy I had a chance to meet you and your great family and you will be missed and NEVER forgotten!!
Allison, Bill & Olivia Marshall
May 10, 2010
Elizabeth & Family- I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Please know that you and your entire family are in our prayers.
May 10, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at the difficult time. Although I didn't know Jim very well I do remember when he raced the ROC and times at the old Shangri-La...he will be missed by all who knew him...
RIP Jim
Dawn Maynard D&J FOTOS
jamie tomaino
May 10, 2010
rest in peace,god speed
Allie Havens
May 10, 2010
Jim always had a smile on his face & a twinkle in his eye. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace, my friend. Allie Reynolds Havens
Jeff Gravatt
May 10, 2010
Jim, you were always a pleasure to work with at the speedway. The way you conducted your life both at the track and away from it is nothing short of inspiring. It was an honor watching you grow up at the track. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with all of us at Wall Stadium
Tami Idol
May 10, 2010
Jim made a difference in peoples lives. He was a role model. May his loving spirit and nature live on through his children.
Chris Forster
May 10, 2010
"Rest in peace my friend", Chris Forster and family
(former car builder for art barry)
Allison Sammarco
May 10, 2010
Jimmy, you will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace.
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