Joseph Wills Jr.

Joseph Rylon Wills Jr., 67, of St. Simons Island, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

Joe grew up in Plant City, Florida, with loving parents, Rylon and Gail. Joe was active in the church community and school sports. In 1982 Joe married Stacy - whom he had known all his life - after they began dating in college. Shortly after marrying, Joe and Stacy moved to Augusta to build a family while Joe completed his business administration degree at what is now known as Augusta University. The couple created lifelong friendships in the Augusta area before moving to St. Simons Island to pursue a new chapter together and continue to raise their three boys. In the 25-plus years they lived on St. Simons together, their marriage blossomed, their sons grew up and Joe left a mark on the community which will remain for years to come.

Joe held over 30 years of hospitality and private club management experience at Augusta National Golf Club, Sea Island Company and Brunswick Country Club. He was a Certified Club Manager and member of the Club Managers Association of America. He has proudly served the community as a top-producing, highly acclaimed and credentialed REALTOR for nearly 25 years, spending most of that time marketing luxury properties and fostering client relationships with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate.

Joe was an elder and deacon at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta and St. Simons Presbyterian Church. He lived his passion for serving others by actively supporting, coordinating or being a member of the following local organizations and events, Manna House of Brunswick, Island Men's Prayer Breakfast, St. Simons Presbyterian Church Thanksgiving Day Breakfast, St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast, 15-year volunteer and committee co-chairman for the RSM Classic.

Joe loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends enjoying good food, music, cycling or walking on the beach with their dogs. Joe was quick to lend an ear, first to offer a hand and last to offer criticism.

He was preceded in death by infant son, Samuel Gale Wills; his father, Joseph Rylon Wills Sr.; and mother, Gail Moody Kroeze. Joe was married to Stacy Williamson Wills for 42 years. The couple has three sons, Patrick (Lindsay) of Augusta, Timothy of St. Simons Island and David (Erica Bautista) of Brunswick; two grandchildren, Henry and Emily; one brother, Jim (Kelly) of Plant City; three nephews, Bruce, Hal and Royce; one niece, Zoe; stepfather, John Kroeze of St. Simons Island and a large extended family in the Central Florida area.

We hope you will join us to celebrate his life and legacy. A service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way, St. Simons Island.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to support Manna House of Brunswick, one of Joe's favorite organizations https://mannahousebrunswickga.org/

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com, is in charge of all arrangements.

Family-placed obituary

The Brunswick News, January 28, 2025

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Brunswick News on Jan. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Wills

Sponsored by Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.

8 Entries

Tom Smillie

February 8, 2025

So sorry to see this so late. Joe was a good man and a valued friend. He gave myself and a good friend the honor of going to the Masters Golf Tournament that fulfilled a lifelong dream. Rest easy my friend. Stacy, my sincere apologies for not being at the service, i didn't know, love yall.

Earline griffin

February 1, 2025

I enjoyed Joe I meet him at the lodge some 15 yrs ago his smile would brighten up the room when he comes over to have his meeting he will be missed

The Colberts

January 29, 2025

We were so sorry to hear this. Joe sold us our house and just loved him. Prayers for your family.

Carol Broadwell Dowdell

January 29, 2025

I enjoyed so much working with Joe at Hodnett-Cooper Real Estate for many years and also enjoyed working with him at St Simons Presbyterian Church as a deacon. Condolences and prayers for his wife and remaining family. He was much admired and loved SSI.

Jen Hatcher

January 29, 2025

My prayers to his family. He was one of a kind. I feel blessed to have known Joe, his giving and compassionate spirit will be missed.

Nichanart Tansinp

January 29, 2025

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Leighton Johnson

January 29, 2025

Joe was more than just a friend. Joe was a friend, mentor, leader, confidant, teacher, and brother in Christ. His never-ending smile and unwavering support for those around him are a testament to his ability to reach even the most unapproachable. Joe could always find the positive in people and most any situation. He was also very hard on himself when something did not turn out to his liking. Joe was disappointed with the outcome of the food we made from his unwritten recipe in his head more times than I can count. Everyone else would think it was great, but Joe always wanted it just a little bit better. He and I constantly discussed what could have been done or added to make it better next time. His constant desire to do better with clients, family, friends, and in the kitchen made him the man that was loved and respected by most everyone he came in to contact with. Joe seemed to always find a way to bring out the best in people without them even knowing. Joe's love for Stacy & his family was obvious. He always smiled as he made a to go box for Stacy on Thursday mornings. It was important to bring her breakfast on the mornings he was not home to make it himself. Joe also loved bringing Henry a cinnamon roll, pancakes, or a piece of pound cake. Joe would tell me about Henry's fishing experiences and all the fish he caught. The smile it brought to his face was only overshadowed by the pride beaming from him when he was talking about Henry and his fish.

I could go on and on about Joe and how he impacted my life and the lives of others. We know he is in heaven looking down on us and his spirit will live on with us all.

Randy Pigge

January 28, 2025

This was such a shock to me as I´m sure all his friends are and
Extremely horrible for his wonderful wife and family Always the conversations I had with Joel in the halls of Hodnett
Cooper and standing in the
Doorway of his office He will be
Missed by many but especially by his Realtor family God Bless
His family and providing Prayers

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