James Willis

James L. Willis, Sr. of Hickory died Sunday, February 19, 2012 at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. He was 92 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Loris Williams Willis and his grand-daughter Pamela. He is survived by his son James Jr. (Carol), Spokane, WA; his daughter Janet Gilmore (Todd), Hickory, NC; three grandchildren, Patrick T. Gilmore (Jennifer), Randleman, NC, James III & Lara Middleton of Asheville, NC; three great-granddaughters, Emery, Katy & Anna. His sister, Joy W. Ray, lives in Birmingham, AL. He was born in Ensley, AL on May 24, 1919 but grew up in Miami, FL. He was the son of James C. & Fernande Peytavin Willis. He was attending the University of Florida when war broke out in 1941. He was a WWII veteran (Army) & served in Europe with the 106th Division during the ?Battle of the Bulge?. He was a Bronze Star recipient. Rising through the ranks he was discharged as a Captain. Several years after the war he & his family settled in Columbia, SC where he retired from a sales career with Volkswagen of America. He graduated from USC in 1998 with a BA degree. In 1999 he and his wife moved to Hickory to live near their daughter and were living with her at the time of both their deaths. Jim was one of Jehovah?s Witnesses. A private memorial service with family and friends will be held at the Garden of Reflection at Catawba Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012. Joda Anderson & Chris Ries will preside. We want to thank all our friends for their love & prayers on behalf of our father & we especially want to thank Hospice of Hickory for the loving care they gave our Dad and the support they gave our family while he was under their care. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for each & every person there that had a part in making him feel peaceful, calm and safe. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Willis family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home in Newton. Ask us about transfering your pre-arrangements. It's easy and quick and the savings is tremendous.