Heber Willis Jr.

Heber Charles Willis, Jr.

Heber Charles Willis, Jr. of Lynchburg passed away peacefully on February 3, 2012 with family present at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on February 15, 1924 in Rapidan, VA to the late Heber Charles Willis and Pauline Hardeman Willis. Drafted into the U.S. Army on January 15, 1943, Charles served in Patton's 3rd Army as a reconnaissance platoon sergeant in the 18th Armored Infantry Battalion. As part of the 10th Armored Division he participated in the relief of Bastogne and the liberation of concentration camps. Honorably discharged on March 20th, 1945, he returned to Orange County to work for Mr. Manley Carter training horses for fox hunting. During his employment he enjoyed hunting with the Montpelier Hunt and training remount horses to be used in the hunt field.

Charles began his thirty-eight year career as a Special Agent for the Southern Railway in 1948. An excellent marksman, he competed on the Southern Railway pistol team and retired as a sergeant. He was the first employee to earn the marksmanship recognition of Distinguished Expert.

In retirement he devoted many years of service to the First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg and its weekday school for pre-school children. He volunteered many hours repairing, improving, and maintaining the church itself as well as leading woodworking craft projects for the school children. During his retirement he also assisted in the restoration of his daughter's home in Keswick, making many lasting friendships there. He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Lynchburg. Most people who knew Charles described him as a true southern gentleman with warmth, character, and a sense of humor. His family will remember him as a devoted and generous son, husband of 63 years, brother, and father who freely shared the warmth of his personality, his love of music, books, and joy of life. Heber Charles Willis, Jr. is survived by his wife, Sue Brugh Willis of Lynchburg; his daughter, Anne Eliza Willis Coles of Keswick; his son, Heber Charles Willis, III and wife, Heather Frey Willis of Arlington; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Grace Willis and Heber Charles Willis, IV; his sister, Adelaide Willis Norman of Harrisonburg, and his brother, Letcher Hardeman Willis of White Hall. In addition to his parents, Charles was predeceased by a son-in-law, Edward Joslin Coles. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg with the Rev. Dr. John Scholer officiating; followed by inurnment in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends at a reception at the church after the services. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the First Presbyterian Weekday School or the First Presbyterian Church; 1215 Virginia Episcopal School (VES) Road, Lynchburg, VA, 24503. Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family (434) 237-9424. Condolences can be made by visiting tharpfuneralhome.com