Kenneth Ray Willis

Kenneth Ray Willis began life on March 5, 1932, in the state of Oklahoma, the county of Oklahoma, the city of Oklahoma, on the street of Oklahoma! And he thought that was cool! He was the second of five children, who remained close and loving to the very end. He grew up as a normal, happy, ornery boy! One of his favorite stories is when he jacked the rear end of his dad’s car up one night! Early the next morning, he was pulled out of bed to let the car down where it belonged! He always thought it was worth it!

In 1953, he married Joyce Hilderbrand, and three children were born to that marriage. Michael Ray, Steven James, and Gay Lynn, all dearly loved and cherished. During this time, he served two years in the army at Fort Lewis, Washington, and then he hurried back to Oklahoma. He and Joyce remained married for about 18 more years. He worked in many places and was employed at Life and Casualty Ins. Co. He was transferred to Nashville, where he worked as a computer programmer, later moving into sales. In 1974, he met Betty Chamblin and her three children in Oklahoma. Of course! They married in 1976 and moved to Mount Juliet, TN, where they blended families and raised kids. He was a very devoted husband and loving father to all of his six children. He treasured and loved all of his precious (13) grandchildren and (8) great grandchildren, and they all loved him and adored him in return!

But most of all, Kenneth Willis loved God. He loved people, and he loved his church! His love for, and his faith in, God has always been obvious, spanning all generations. He was a great friend to his peers, and he had real affection for teenagers. When you came to Hermitage Nazarene, the first person you probably met was Kenneth. He would ask your name and, forever after, call you by name and make you feel welcome! His life centered around his love for Christ. He was not fake or pretentious, and he didn’t take credit for what God was doing. He was just Ken, who loved God and gave him the glory. As his trust in God grew, he came to claim TRUTH and LOVE as his life words. When you talked to him, you might get a mini sermon, testifying that he believed and trusted in the love and mercy of God. God framed his whole outlook on life. Ken Willis, like the rest of us, was not perfect, but God erased all that and welcomed Kenneth home with open arms on March 8, 2026.

Kenneth is survived by;

Wife – Betty Chamblin Willis

Children - Michael (Debbie) Willis, Gayle (Jeff) Hurt, Kris (Ronnie) Hollis, James (Rachel) Chamblin II, and Courtney (Jeff) Wilson.

Sisters - Lois Holley and Betty (George) Mason

Grandchildren - Justin, Cory, and Steven Willis, Tripp and Vaughan Chamblin, Brylee Shroder, Jordan Williams, Kensey Rogers, Sara, Allie, Anderson, and Kilian Spencer.

Great-Grandchildren – Savanna Arnone, Knox, Vivia, Valerie, and Kix Willis, Liza and Jolie Williams, Eleanor and Zeke Rogers.

Dear friend/brother – Ken Elkins

Dear friend/playmate – David Terrell

He was preceded in death by his son, Steve Willis, and his brothers, Ralph Willis and Derryl Willis.

A funeral service for Kenneth will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Hermitage Church of the Nazarene, 4151 Sandersville Road, Old Hickory, TN, officiated by Carol Waller, with internment to follow at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens, with family members serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be The Camping Group. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Kenneth loved bright colors! Please feel free to dress comfy & colorful!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hermitage Church of the Nazarene. For more information, please visit https://www.hermitagechurch.org/give/

Arrangements by: Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615)773-2663, www.bondmemorial.com