Dennis Ray Willis

Dennis Ray Willis of Fall Branch and Sullivan Gardens died peacefully at Holston Valley Hospital on 15 February. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Isabelle (Thornburgh), twin sister Benda Kay, and sons James (Jamie) and Sam. He is survived by his wife Judy (Conkin) of 60 years, son Chris, daughter Sarah, daughter-in-law Jill and son-in-law Anderson Loggins. He was the proud grandfather of Chelsea, Scott, Sly, Evander, Weston Dennis, and great grandfather of Emma, Owen, and Alice Rae.

Dennis was born on 27 January 1947 in Greeneville, TN. He graduated from Fall Branch High School in 1965 and then enlisted in the US Air Force. Dennis retired from the Air Force at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (the highest enlisted rank) in 1987. He deployed to Vietnam and Thailand in 1972. His other duty stations included Shaw AFB, SC, Bergstrom AFB, TX, Standiford Field, KY, Elmendorf AFB, AK, and Homestead AFB, FL. Dennis’s specialty was fighter maintenance. He took pride in working on such iconic aircraft as the F4 Phantom II, the F15 Eagle, and the F16 Falcon. Among many other awards and decorations, Dennis was recognized as a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky for his outstanding service to the state and Nation as an advisor to the Kentucky Air National Guard.

After retirement, Dennis worked in aircraft maintenance for Airborne Express and DHL in Wilmington, OH, and at Tri-cities Airport, retiring in 2009.

Dennis enjoyed restoring and showing classic cars as a member of the Fall Branch Car Club. He completed restorations of a 1964 Chevy Impala convertible, a 1957 Chevy, and a 1936 Ford Pickup. He has loved all his cats and dogs over the many years.

The family will hold a viewing at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport on 22 February, 2-4 p.m. Dennis’s remains will be inurned at the Mountain Home VA Cemetery in Johnson City with full military honors on Memorial Day, 25 May 2026.

Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an online condolence for the family.