WILLIAM ARTHUR WILLIS

William Arthur "Bill" Willis, 80, of Satellite Beach, FL, passed away after a short illness, on August 22, 2023. He was born on April 27, 1943, in Newport News, Virginia, to the late Cecil Howard Willis and Gladys "Frisky" Willis Young. He graduated from Old Fort High School in North Carolina, where he met his first wife, Faye Burgin, with whom he had two children, Lisa Kaye and Stephen William.

Bill joined the Air Force in 1963 and spent the next 25 years stationed in various locations around the world. As an Aircraft Control and Warning Systems Repairman/Superintendent, he retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant. After retiring, he went to work for Computer Sciences Raytheon (CSR) at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, where he worked until 2004.

Bill was known to have a great sense of humor and especially loved spending time with his brother Danny and cousin Jimmy, laughing, telling jokes, and talking about baseball or basketball. In his free time, he loved spending time with his kids, taking them out on his boat, camping, fishing and water skiing. He also enjoyed playing intramural games of softball and bowling.

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Vassey Willis, his children, Lisa Haskins of Clayton, NC, Steve Willis (Lori) of Palm Bay, FL, Brian J. Hughes (Kirsty), of Roatan, Honduras, Spencer Hughes (Nina) of Beacon, NY, Jaime Willis Malta (Shawn) of Satellite Beach, FL, and Samuel McCollum of Dallas, NC, as well as 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and extended family of Old Fort, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Danny Willis, and his granddaughter, Brittney Willis.

Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was interred after full military honors at Cape Canaveral.