Thomas B. "Tombo" Willis Jr.

1943 - 2025

Thomas Bronson Willis, Jr. of Queenstown, MD, died suddenly on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, he was 81 years old. Tom was affectionately known by many as "Tombo". Born on December 23, 1943, and raised in Queenstown, Tom was the son of the late Thomas Bronson Willis, Sr. and Dorothy Walters Willis. Tom graduated from Centreville High School in Centreville, MD in 1961. While in high school, he met his future wife Nola F. Norman. They would dance the jitterbug before school and during lunch, and he tutored her in chemistry, helping her pass the class. Finding that they had chemistry in real life, they began dating and would eventually marry on October 20, 1962. Tom worked in his younger years fishing and crabbing and worked summers at Friel's Cannery. Following his high school graduation, Tom served a stint in the United State Air Force before being honorably discharged. Following his return to Queenstown, and his marriage to Nola, they moved to Dover, DE, and then to Smyrna, DE, all while Tom worked more than 19 years at Reichold Chemical Company in Cheswold, DE. Upon moving back to Queenstown in 1981, Tom became a commercial crabber while establishing his contracting business, Tom Willis & Sons Contracting. Tom enjoyed playing softball for many years in the Over 40 league in Queen Anne's County, playing well into his 60's. He was a member of the BCA Pool League, and until his death, he served as Captain on teams in both the APA Pool League and the TAP Pool League. His dream was for one of his teams to win the championship and to go to Las Vegas and play. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially every Sunday when they would gather on the "crab porch" at his home for great food, crabs and Natty Boh. Tom also had a very impressive garden, which he and his brother would plant and tend all summer long, harvesting more vegetables than anyone could eat. His neighbors often reaped the benefits of that garden! Tom was a Town Commissioner for the Town of Queenstown and served a total of 18 years between 1995 until his death. He enjoyed serving his community in many ways. In addition to his years in public office, Tom was a member of the Bay Country Moose Lodge, where he served as Administrator for a time, and was a member of the American Legion Post 296. Tom will be missed by many, but by none more than his family. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Nola; his daughter Amy Moore of Smyrna, DE; daughter Kimberly Parkerson and her husband Keith of Centreville, MD; and sons Christopher Willis and Geoffrey Willis of Queenstown, MD. Tom was also a grandfather to Doug Moore and Kristen Moore of Smyrna, DE; Danielle Parkerson of Queenstown; Brady Parkerson and wife Elissa of Chester; Jared Parkerson of Centreville; Christopher Willis and wife Mackenzie of Bradenton, FL; Victoria Willis of Perry Hall; Harley Willis of Centreville; and Mackenzie Willis and Kayden Willis both of Queenstown. In addition, he was great-grandfather to Cohen Linden, Dorothy Parkerson, Thomas Parkerson and Bronson Willis. He is also survived by his brother Robert Willis and wife Sheila of Chester, sister Nancy Meissner and wife Fran Ethier of Ashaway, RI; sister-in-law Nancy Van Schaik and husband Bob of Easton, and special nephews Josh Willis and Derek Willis, and nieces Jenny Benhoff and Xia Ying Van Schaik; family friend Will Pounds and family; forever daughters-in-law Cathy Willis and Erica Willis; and his beloved grand-dog Beau. Visitation will be on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Centreville, MD; with a Celebration of Life to be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 2-5 p.m. at the Bay Country Moose Lodge, Queenstown, MD. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory can be made to the Queenstown Vol. Fire Dept., PO Box 118, Queenstown, MD 21658.