Fred C. Willis

Fred C. Willis, age 98, of Hillsboro, Tennessee passed from this life on Monday, October 13, 2025, at his residence. Mr. Willis was born on June 22, 1927 in Hillsboro. He was the sixth of ten children born to his late parents, John F. Willis and Maggie Bell Henley Willis. As a child, he and his siblings learned their work ethic as they worked together on their family's farm. Mr. Willis attended Thompson Hall School and very much enjoyed his time there. He graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1945. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy. He served as a seaman first class from 1945-1946 stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Hillsboro.
On December 4,1948, Mr. Willis married Audrey Louise Haston. They lived in the Hillsboro Community and raised six children on their family farm. Mr. Willis and his wife instilled the values of hard work, faith, education, and service in their children. He was a farmer all of his working years, first with his brothers and later with his sons. Even though, Mr. Willis was unable to attend college, he was proud that all six of his children graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Mr. Willis was a lifetime member of Hillsboro Methodist Church where he served in several leadership roles including 20 years as a church trustee. He served on the Coffee County School Board for six years from 1958 to 1964. Mr. Willis was very active in the Coffee County 4-H organization and served as a volunteer for over 50 years. He and his wife hosted many events at their home. In 1991, he and his family received the State 4-H Family of the Year award. In 1970, Mr. Willis was elected to the Coffee County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He continued to serve on that board until 2005 when he was named an honorary director.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Willis; siblings, Cora Roper, Jean Sullivan, Harold Willis, Christine Deadman, Jack Willis, Betty Jaggers, and Kenneth Willis.
Mr. Willis is survived by sons, Charles Willis (Terri) and Brent Willis (Linda); daughters, Jeanne Bell (Jon), Bobbie Myers (Bill), Charlotte Keele (Joe), and Angela Banks; brother, Bob Willis (Carole); sister, Ann Wells; brother-in-law, Lowell Haston; grandchildren, Diana Clarady (Matt), Jonny Bell (Jennifer), Emily Ragland (Kevin), Bryan Myers (Jane), Beth O'Reilly (Brian), Beverly Keele (Jeff), Belinda Black, Quent Willis (Amanda), Whitney Willis (Mandy), Lance Willis (Keesha), Wesley Keele (Margaret), Maggie Millraney (Michael), Amy Prince (Michael), Ethan Willis (Kiera), Zachary Banks (Samantha), and Remington Banks; 29 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be held Monday, October 20, 2025, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN. Visitation will also be held Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 12:00pm until 1:00pm at Hillsboro Methodist Church with funeral services following at 1:00pm with Rev. Neal Glass and Bro. Danny Freeman officiating. Burial will follow at Hillsboro Methodist Cemetery in Coffee County.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Hillsboro Methodist Church, P. O. Box 65, Hillsboro, TN 37342 or Coffee County 4-H, 1331 McArthur St. Manchester, TN 37355.
Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the Willis family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Fred C. Willis, please visit our Tree Store.