Judith B. Willis

WILLIS

JUDITH B. WILLIS

Judith B. Willis passed away in Washington, DC on October 12, 2022, at the age of 81. Born in Fort Wayne, to Virginia Gardner and Louis "Bill" Bonsib, Jr., Judith was the oldest of four siblings, raised in Denver, CO. She earned her Bachelors degree at Indiana University, where she met her husband, Clyde Willis. They moved to Kalamazoo, MI, and she graduated cum laude from the first class of Physician Assistants at Western Michigan University, all while raising her four children.

Judith began her distinguished career as Assistant to the Dean of Research for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine while she continued to practice as a PA. She caught the eye of the Reagan Administration and accepted a position in Washington, DC to serve as Director of the Office of Research & Demonstration at the former Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA). She was then recruited to serve as Deputy Director and Special Assistant for Drug Policy, on the newly formed National Drug Policy Board. Judith returned to support her beloved PAs and established a Research Division at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). Having achieved so much for the profession, she was the first woman elected to serve as AAPA President. Judith was also a successful entrepreneur, creating a national database to verify all healthcare provider credentials, a newly mandated requirement for all insurance companies. She later sold the company and moved to the Charlotte area to teach clinical studies at Kings College.

Beyond work, Judith was a talented artist and gardener. She designed each of her homes with an art workshop and created master gardens, ensuring color all year. She never turned down an opportunity to host stylish parties with amazing food that she lovingly prepared. Judith was a sight of beauty and elegance, but she was most proud of her family, her research, and contribution to society. She always had a mission and no-nonsense way of waking up and working hard, and she never failed to be there for her kids, grandkids, and extended family. Judith recently returned to Washington, DC to live closer to family.

Judith is preceded in death by her parents and husband, and survived by her devoted children, Jennifer Willis-Rivera (Daniel), Gina Kiang (Tim), Mathew Willis, and Nathan Willis (Sue). She is also very missed by her cherished grandchildren, Zachary, Alex, Arcelia, Mica, Harrison, and Braden.

Services will be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the spring with flowers in bloom. Any donations in Judith's name can be made to Random Acts (www.randomacts.org)