Roderick Willis

Roderick Emerson Willis (Rod), 69 years old, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on Friday, October 7, 2022 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, VA. Rod was preceded in death by: both parents, a sister, a niece, four nephews, and a great-niece.

In 1971, shortly after graduating high school, Rod joined the United States Marine Corps. He went through basic training at Parris Island, SC. After basic training, Rod received Air Traffic Communication Specialist training at Camp LeJeune, NC. As a Vietnam era Marine, Rod was decorated many times receiving a Rifle Marksman Badge, a Good Conduct Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal. Rod’s last duty station was a Marine Corp Air station Kaneohe Bay located in Hawaii.

After the Marine Corp, Rod was passionate about education and knew he wanted to obtain a degree. First, he wanted to pursue a pilot's license so he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach,FL. A short time later Rod transferred to Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where he completed his undergraduate and Master’s degree in Business Management and Finance.

While continuing his education at Temple University he met and married Denise Boyd. Once Rod finished his Master’s degree, he went to work for the Federal Government and held various positions with the Dept. of Commerce until his retirement from federal service in Spring of 2015.

Rod led a life filled with happiness, cheer, and he found joy in helping people and making them laugh. He was once described as, “A room full of people all by himself.” Rod was an avid fisherman and all of his fishing buddies would agree that he was the best fisherman in southern
Virginia. Rod loved to travel, he and his wife Denise were scheduled to go on their 23rd cruise together at the end of October 2022. Also, they would frequently travel to California and Pennsylvania to visit family. Rod's (pop pop) greatest joy was spending time with his three
grandchildren.

He was a man of service. Rod was a Sunday school teacher. He helped care for and frequently looked after Denise's brother, Earl who has severe mental illness. He would volunteer his time at an assisted living facility by taking a few residents fishing with him. Rod would take his elderly
friends to the local fishing hole for a little conversation and light competition.

Rods leaves to treasure his memories: his loving devoted wife and best friend of 40 years Denise, Son (Jarett), Daughter-in-law (Anabel), Grandson’s (Javier and Tristan), and Granddaughter (Amiya). Seven sisters (Sabrina, Darene, Marsha, Stephanie, Cindy, Carol,and Angela) and four brothers (Malvern Sr., Vernon, Barhell, and Albert) Sister-in-law Loretta (Lupe). Four brothers-in-law (Earl, Joe, Yuel, and Lonnie). Twenty-five nieces / nephews. Thirty-four great nieces / nephews. Eight great great nieces and nephews. Special friends include: Robin McClairen - mother of Jarett. Rudolph Brown was a close friend and fishing buddy for over 30 years. Hattie Mitchell - special cousin. Ray and Judy Hawes, the
Australians, close friends met during their travels. An abundance of cousins, friends, and extended family, with special mention of extended family
in California.

A funeral service will be held Monday October 17, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home, Petersburg Chapel, with Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., officiating. Burial will be held 3PM Thursday October 27, 2022 at the Albert G. Horton Veteran Cemetery - Suffolk. Public viewing will be held on Sunday October 16, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m at the funeral home. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Joseph M. Johnson and Son Funeral Home, 530 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg. (804) 863-4411