Reverend John Harrison Willis III, 85, resident of Fredericksburg, died peacefully at 8:55 a.m. Friday, September 5, 2025 at H. H. Riverhouse. Eldest son of the late John Harrison Willis Jr. and Helen Burns Willis, he was born in Fredericksburg, and spent his formative years in Lignum and Culpeper. He had been living in Lynchburg, Va, since the early 1990s, before returning to Fredericksburg in 2020.
He graduated from Culpeper High School in 1958, received the Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond in 1964, was ordained in 1966, received the Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1973, and later attended Boston University from 1979-1981 for doctorate work. He pastored many church fields from the 1960s through the early 2000s, including Red Lane Baptist (Powhatan), Farnham Baptist (Farnham), Glade Baptist (Blacksburg), Calvary Baptist (Orange), Memorial Baptist (Louisa), Marshall Baptist (Marshall), and Lynch Station Baptist (Lynch Station). Early in his career he was also Minister of Music at Blue Ash Baptist (Blue Ash, Ohio) and Victory Memorial Baptist (Louisville, Kentucky), served with the Fort Knox military chaplains and worked in the field of juvenile rehabilitation in Anchorage, Kentucky.
In addition, from 1997-2007, he worked at B & B Presentations raising funds for the Fraternal Order of Police. Later in his career, he assisted many churches as an interim or supply pastor, such as Randolph Memorial Baptist (Madison Heights) and The Plains Baptist (The Plains). After retiring, he volunteered much of his time ministering to those in nursing and retirement homes in the Lynchburg area.
On December 3, 1966, he married the late Sandra Rowzie Willis of Amissville. He is survived by his son, Mark Rowzie Willis of Fredericksburg; his brother, Edward B. Willis, and wife JoAnne Willis of Lexington, Va; his sister Nancy W. Clayman, and husband Michael Clayman of Virginia Beach; three nephews, one niece, many cousins and extended family.
A memorial service will be held at Yellow Branch Baptist Church, 8395 Wards Rd, Rustburg, Va, on Saturday, Nov. 8. The family will receive friends at 2 p.m. The service will be at 3 p.m. followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to H. H. Riverhouse, 100 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, Va 22401, or the Centra Foundation, 1920 Atherholt Rd, Lynchburg, Va 24501.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of H. H. Riverhouse and Medi Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care and support for the past five years.
Condolences for Reverend Willis at
MyObits.com.
Published by The Free Lance - Star on Oct. 12, 2025.