Kenneth Ray Willis Sr.

Kenneth R. Willis Sr. age 81 of Paris Twp passed away peacefully into eternal rest on Saturday Jan 31, 2026 at his residence. He was born on Jan 18, 1945 in Meadow Creek, WV the son of the late Jessie Lee Willis and Emma May (Smith) Willis. Ken lived in Paris Twp since 1986, formerly of Ravenna, OH. He married the love of his life, Patricia L. Gray on Dec. 10, 1973 and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage together. After high school, he joined the US Army and served 2 years during the Vietnam War from 1967- 1969. Ken worked in the Maintenance Department at Oak Rubber Company in Ravenna for 25 years until it closed in 1995. He then worked for PMHA (Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority) for 10 years and Walmart in Streetsboro for 13 years retiring in 2016. Ken enjoyed collecting coins, building model ships out of match sticks and Legos, growing flowers, and sitting in his rocker on the back porch having a beer. Ken was a member of the Lake Milton American Legion, Post #737 and the Moose Lodge #1234 in Ravenna. He is preceded in death by his parents, and 1 brother: Charles Willis.
Ken is survived by: his wife: Patricia L. Willis of Paris Twp, 1 daughter: Angela L. Kellerman of Paris Twp, 1 son: Kenneth R. Willis II of Paris Twp, 2 sisters: Dixie Wickline of Green Sulphur Springs, WV, Ellen & Roger Ware of Ravenna, OH, and many nieces & nephews.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no services. The family has requested that all donations please be made to the Healthy Hearts & Paws Project 909 Martin Luther King Blvd SW Warren, OH 44485 in his memory.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad Street, Newton Falls, OH 44444 (330)872-5440. Family and friends may view his obituary online or to send condolences, please visit us at www.jamesfuneralhomeinc.com