Brian Lee Willis

Brian Lee Willis, 57, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away on February 21, 2024. He was born on August 22, 1966, in Muncie, Indiana, to parents, Donald Lee Willis and Joan (Mayenchein) Willis.  

Brian’s legacy is his acceptance and relationship with Jesus Christ as personal Savior. To know Brian was to witness the handiwork and unending love of God. As a husband, father, son and friend, Brian modeled supernatural love. He encouraged goodness in others, offering help and words of encouragement to anyone crossing his path. Brian was a calming presence and source of steadiness, relying on God to show him the next action, one step at a time. He forgave quickly, could not bear to hurt, or disappoint others, and was slow to anger. Brian was quick witted, delivering humor and laughter every day, and never failed to put a smile on the face of those he was around. He loved all of God’s creatures and took great pride in caring for many animals, who flocked to him like “Noah’s Ark”. Brian volunteered as a children’s church and preschool assistant, Sunday School teacher, small group bible study leader, sports coach for basketball and soccer, and enjoyed hobbies of horseback riding, tractor driving, woodworking, landscaping and home remodeling.   

Brian graduated from Heritage Christian School located in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1985, where he played on sports teams in basketball, cross country, and track, and sang in his high school and several church choirs. Brian studied at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and later transferred to Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, where Brian earned a Bachelor of Science in business marketing in December 1989. Brian completed his formal education in 1994, earning a Master of Science in management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Professionally, Brian achieved multiple certifications including Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for process improvement as well as the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM). He was a long-time member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers.  

Brian worked in financial management, most recently serving 14 years at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, supporting Military members with compensation and special pay entitlements. He received commendations and awards for outstanding contributions to process improvements, reviewing high dollar service member debts, auditing Soldier’s pay accounts, providing exceptional design and implementation support for new integrated personnel and pay systems, and for improving team morale with operations. Prior to his career in the federal government, Brian worked as a financial systems specialist and relationship manager for Sallie Mae and USA Funds, where he designed and implemented multiple financial system solutions and served as relationship loan manager for multiple universities and colleges across the United States.  

Brian is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer “Jenny” (Marcum) Willis; daughters, Abigail “Abby” Willis, Emily (Dmitry Olkhovskiy) Willis, and Chloe (Seth) Plantenga; father, Donald Lee Willis; mother, Joan (Mayenchein) Willis, sister Jane Willis Gardner; and brother Mark (Amy) Willis, as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.  

Visitation for Brian will be from 11am -1pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Castleview Church (8601 Hague Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46256), with a funeral service immediately following at 1pm. The burial will be private.  

Brian's funeral service will be webcasted and after the completion of his service, can be viewed via the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwOTA1NzAyNzI5Nzc0OSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Moody Radio, by calling 1-877-376-2194, emailing drm@moody.edu or mailing to:  Moody Radio, 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60610.