Cathy Willis

Cathy Willis, 77, of Harkers Island, North Carolina, passed away with her son by her side and loved ones near on the morning of Friday, September 26, 2025.

A graveside service to honor Cathy's life will take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 2nd at Vergie Mae Cemetery on Harkers Island. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

Born on February 12, 1948, Cathy was the second born child of Clem Sr. and Edith Audrey Rose Willis. Not many women are blessed to give birth to a daughter on her own birthday, but Edith and Cathy shared that day, bond and privilege. It was a happy childhood that Cathy would have, spending most of it with the family that lived near her. Cousins were more like brothers and sisters. Although there were ten years difference between her brother, there was never a time that Cathy did not know she could call and rely upon her Bubba to be there for her and her family.

Cathy would meet the love of her life, Sonny Wayne Willis in the same place they grew up, Harkers Island, and would decide to raise their family there. Like many budding romances back in their youth, their courtship started at the Red Rooster. Sonny Wayne and Cathy would joke and tell how they were married in a chicken pen. But that was just the beginning of their adventure together. At the ripe old age of eighteen Cathy bore their first child Angela Michelle. It wouldn’t be until the night Angie was graduating high school when they would welcome their second child, a son, Sonny Courtney, to complete their family.

Cathy had opportunities to work outside the home and spoke often of her time at Sea Level Hospital where she was a CNA and a Pharmacy Technician. She worked at several of the local businesses on the Island including Billy’s, Sea Side, and at the scallop house. Through all the years and all the hard work, some of her fondest memories were that of loading up to head out for a day of clamming with her husband. The time spent being in Back Sound near The Cape with the love of her life, working to support the family they loved and created together was a bit of heaven on earth.

Cathy is survived by her daughter, Angela Michelle Willis of Pruitt Health Care Beaufort; son, Sonny Courtney Willis of Richlands, NC; brother-in-law, Johnny Van Willis of Marshallberg, NC; and several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny Wayne Willis; parents, Clem Willis Sr., Edith Audrey Rose Willis; and brother, Clem Willis, Jr.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Morehead City, NC.