Jimmy Willis Obituary On February 25, 2021, Jimmy Carol Willis, 82, ended his journey here on earth to begin his new life in heaven. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side after a valiant 4-month battle with complications of COPD. Jimmy was born in Gastonia, NC. His parents were Troy & Grace Willis. While still a toddler, his family moved to the Driver area of Suffolk. When he was in grammar school, the family bought the farm in Windsor where Jimmy finished his education. He began his working career at Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1955. After 5 years he joined Newport News Shipbuilding in the Pipe Dept. He retired in 1997 as a Senior Inspection Supervisor in the Quality Inspection Dept. with 37 years of total service. Jimmy served 9 years in the Virginia National Guard in Norfolk, Franklin, and Suffolk. He was a member of the Davis-Ridley hunt club in Southampton County. Deer hunting was one of his favorite past times for most of his life, and he enjoyed being their oldest living member. Jimmy was a great cook, feeding huge crowds with little or no effort. He was well known for his BBQ, Brunswick stew, fried fish, and especially chicken and dumplings. He turned many men who did not even know how to boil water into fine cooks. He was a farmer & gardener. After retirement, he worked for several years for the Bradshaw family in Franklin with their farming operation. He always had a personal garden and enjoyed sharing his produce with friends & family. As a young man, Jimmy enjoyed all kinds of dancing. It all began in Sedley on Saturday nights and eventually covered the whole Tidewater area. Jimmy was very involved in Masonry. He was a life member of Smithfield Union 18 where he served as Master in 1999. In 2001 he was District Deputy Grand Master of the 31st. District. He was also a life member of Nansemond 77 where he served as treasurer for several years. He was a life member of the Royal Arch in Portsmouth and a member of the Khedive Shrine Temple. Jimmy was a life member of Newport News Scottish Rite where he was venerable master & life member of Portsmouth Scottish Rite. He was a 33rd degree Mason. Jimmy was a Christian. He was a member of Berea Christian Church in Driver and also attended Nansemond River Baptist Church. Besides his parents, Jimmy was predeceased by his brother, Troy; his son, Jim Jr. ; and grandson, Joey Bell. He is survived by his loving & devoted wife, Martha Sheldon Willis; daughters Lisa Willis (Tommy Ackiss) and Kathy Wilcox (Jack); grandchildren, Jimmie Willis (Kyla), Tyler Willis, and Brooklyn Willis (Stephen Watson); 4 great-grandchildren; and brother, Wayne Willis (Joanne). The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 28, 2021, at the Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA, 23435, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with Masonic Rites at 5:00 pm. The funeral services will be private. Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Berea Christian Church, 4109, Driver Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435. Condolences may be registered online at RWBakerFH.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchName=Jimmy+Willis&page1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/jimmy-willis-obituary?id11135418 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/Jimmy-C-Willis/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Jimmy Carol Willis, 82, passed away on 25 February 2021 after a battle with COPD. Born in Gastonia, NC, he was a devoted husband, father, and Mason. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, and deer hunting, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services The family received friends on 28 February 2021 at Baker-Foster Funeral Home in Suffolk, VA. Funeral services were private, with burial details not specified. Memorial donations were made to Berea Christian Church in Suffolk, VA. ### The Edited Obituary On 25 February 2021, Jimmy Carol Willis, 82, ended his journey here on earth to begin his new life in heaven. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side after a valiant 4-month battle with complications of COPD. Jimmy was born in Gastonia, NC. His parents were Troy and Grace Willis. While still a toddler, his family moved to the Driver area of Suffolk. When he was in grammar school, the family bought the farm in Windsor where Jimmy finished his education. He began his working career at Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1955. After 5 years, he joined Newport News Shipbuilding in the Pipe Department. He retired in 1997 as a Senior Inspection Supervisor in the Quality Inspection Department with 37 years of total service. Jimmy served 9 years in the Virginia National Guard in Norfolk, Franklin, and Suffolk. He was a member of the Davis-Ridley Hunt Club in Southampton County. Deer hunting was one of his favorite pastimes for most of his life, and he enjoyed being their oldest living member. Jimmy was a great cook, feeding huge crowds with little or no effort. He was well known for his BBQ, Brunswick stew, fried fish, and especially chicken and dumplings. He turned many men who did not even know how to boil water into fine cooks. He was a farmer and gardener. After retirement, he worked for several years for the Bradshaw family in Franklin with their farming operation. He always had a personal garden and enjoyed sharing his produce with friends and family. As a young man, Jimmy enjoyed all kinds of dancing. It all began in Sedley on Saturday nights and eventually covered the whole Tidewater area. Jimmy was very involved in Masonry. He was a life member of Smithfield Union 18, where he served as Master in 1999. In 2001, he was District Deputy Grand Master of the 31st District. He was also a life member of Nansemond 77, where he served as treasurer for several years. He was a life member of the Royal Arch in Portsmouth and a member of the Khedive Shrine Temple. Jimmy was a life member of Newport News Scottish Rite, where he was Venerable Master and life member of Portsmouth Scottish Rite. He was a 33rd degree Mason. Jimmy was a Christian. He was a member of Berea Christian Church in Driver and also attended Nansemond River Baptist Church. Besides his parents, Jimmy was predeceased by his brother, Troy; his son, Jim Jr.; and grandson, Joey Bell. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Martha Sheldon Willis; daughters Lisa Willis (Tommy Ackiss) and Kathy Wilcox (Jack); grandchildren, Jimmie Willis (Kyla), Tyler Willis, and Brooklyn Willis (Stephen Watson); 4 great-grandchildren; and brother, Wayne Willis (Joanne). ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Jimmy Carol Willis | |---------|-------------------------------| | Age | 82 years | | Birth | 1939; Gastonia, NC | | Death | 25 February 2021; Suffolk, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |----------------------------------|------------------------|--------------------------------| | Jimmy Carol Willis | Decedent | Suffolk, VA | | Martha Sheldon Willis | Spouse | Suffolk, VA | | Troy Willis | Parent | Unknown | | Grace Willis | Parent | Unknown | | Lisa Willis (Tommy Ackiss) | Child | Unknown | | Kathy Wilcox (Jack) | Child | Unknown | | Jimmie Willis (Kyla) | Grandchild | Unknown | | Tyler Willis | Grandchild | Unknown | | Brooklyn Willis (Stephen Watson) | Grandchild | Unknown | | Wayne Willis (Joanne) | Sibling | Unknown | | Troy Willis | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Jim Jr. | Predeceased Child | -- | | Joey Bell | Predeceased Grandchild | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Jimmy Carol Willis was born in Gastonia, NC. 2. He was a lifelong resident of the Driver area of Suffolk, VA. 3. He began his working career at Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1955 and later joined Newport News Shipbuilding, retiring in 1997. 4. He served 9 years in the Virginia National Guard. 5. Jimmy was an avid hunter and a member of the Davis-Ridley Hunt Club. 6. He was known for his cooking skills, particularly his BBQ, Brunswick stew, fried fish, and chicken and dumplings. 7. After retirement, he worked for several years with the Bradshaw family in Franklin, VA, on their farming operation. 8. He was very involved in Masonry, holding various positions including Master of Smithfield Union 18 and District Deputy Grand Master of the 31st District. 9. Jimmy was a life member of multiple Masonic organizations, including Newport News Scottish Rite and Khedive Shrine Temple. 10. He was a member of Berea Christian Church in Driver and also attended Nansemond River Baptist Church.