Charles "Chuck" Randall Willis

 Charles “Chuck” Randall Willis died peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Bossier City, Louisiana at the age of 70 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

  He is survived by his wife, Gala Willis; his daughters, Alyson (Scott) Mitchell and Randi Willis; his step-daughter, Kendra Emerson; and his grandsons, Hayden Mitchell, Hunter Mitchell, Bryce Emerson, and Dagan Emerson. Chuck is preceded in death by his brother, John “Butch” Willis, and his parents, Alice Nowlin Brantley and John A Willis.

  Chuck was born on November 10, 1953, in Bossier City, Louisiana, and spent his youth traveling the world with his parents, staying in military bases across Europe. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force in 1972 and served in Thailand, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Iceland. He served in two armed conflicts, including the Vietnam War, and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged and started his retirement in 1998; he is still remembered as “one of the great flight chiefs” of his time. During his service in the military, he received numerous awards and medals including for distinguished service in southwest Asia. After returning to Bossier City, Chuck met Gala Merritt and they were married in 2002.

  Chuck’s greatest pleasures in life were music, golf, and Alabama football. He was himself a musician and played both guitar and drums. Chuck played with the Cajun Country Band and the Reflections, where he made friends who stayed with him until his final days. As a golfer, Chuck played several times a week and won many tournaments.

  His children remember him as a loving father who encouraged them to pursue their goals and he put his family first without fail. He was always available to help his friends with any projects or just being there for them when they needed to talk. He had a great sense of humor and was always a jokester. Even in his final days, he was making jokes and teasing the hospice nursing staff with some good-natured ribbing about Alabama and LSU football. 

 The memorial is scheduled for Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City, Louisiana. Friends are welcome to visit the family and celebrate Chuck’s life.  Chuck’s final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with a private ceremony accompanied by full military honors. 

 In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org