Willis Orlando Sanders

Willis O. Sanders Jr.

Columbus, Ohio

Willis Orlando Sanders Jr. was born on July 21, 1988, to Willis Sanders Sr. and Sandy Sanders in Columbus, Ohio. Willis (Junior) lived his life with a spark that was unmistakably his, always seeking to treat others with the love God teaches. From the moment you met him, he radiated a light that drew everyone in. His laugh carried across rooms, his energy changed the air, and his instinct to celebrate those he loved made every gathering feel like something special. Willis grew up in Westerville, where he began his education at Huber Ridge Elementary before attending Walnut Springs Middle School. In 2006, he graduated from Westerville South High School, leaving behind a trail of friends and memories that reflected his big-hearted nature. He then went on to continue his studies at the University of Toledo, majoring in Marketing.

Eager to carve out his own path, Willis explored many fields: banking, hospitality management, culinary arts, customer relations and brought his entire self to each of them. He learned at full speed, connected with people without even trying, and kept pushing himself forward with a confidence that felt effortless. In 2025, he completed his Media Communications Certificate at Ohio Media School and quickly put those skills to work, promoting and hosting events with the same drive and determination he brought to everything he did.

At the center of Willis’s life was the family he loved deeply. He is survived by his parents, Willis Sanders Sr. and Sandy Sanders; his sisters, Christiana, Kailah, and Keirra (Michael); his nephew, Christian Green; and his grandmother, Bessie Sanders. To them, and to the countless friends and family members who laughed with him, listened to his stories, and felt lifted by his spirit, he was a constant source of joy, humor, and genuine love.

His time here was not nearly long enough, but those who knew him will never forget the warmth he carried, the laughter he sparked, and the way he made people feel seen. His spirit lives on in every story shared, every memory held close, and every moment when his light finds its way back to us again.