James Willis Obituary
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Funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home.
Mr. Willis was a native of Pitt County. He was a graduate of Ayden High School. He went into the U. S. Air Force after high school. He served in the U. S. Air Force from 1957 to 1979. Then, worked at East Carolina University as a police officer from 1979 to 2003. He was a member of Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He enjoyed the Layman's League and his church family. He loved his grandsons and enjoyed watching them play ball for the church league. He enjoyed spending time with his family and talking about any sports.
James was a wonderful, godly husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Letitia H. Willis, and parents, Ernest and Grace Willis.
James is survived by his daughter, Lisa W. Heath and husband, Brian; grandchildren, Zachary T. Heath and fiancée, Makala, and Nathan J. Heath; great-grandchildren, Elijah and Elliott; sisters, Myrtle Register and husband, Gene, and Ann Wiggins, all of Chocowinity; and LaRue Sox and husband, Tommy of Burlington; In-laws, Debbie Adams and husband, Kenneth, Hope Smith, Marian Hardee and Redden Jones. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, 6236 County Home Road, Winterville, North Carolina 28590.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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2100 East Fifth Street, Greenville, NC 27858
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