Obituaries: J. A. Willis, Sr., 1999, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: May 24, 1999 The Mississippi Press (Pascagoula, MS)

J. A. Willis, Sr.

J. A. Willis, Sr., 82, of Pascagoula, Miss., died Sun., May 23, 1999 in
Pascagoula.  He was born March 3, 1917 in Winnfield, La.  His early career was
in the motion picture theater business in Yazoo City, Miss.  He was the first
company employee on site with Mississippi Chemical Corporation (now
Mississippi Phosphate) in Pascagoula.  Mr. Willis retired after 25 years as
Director of Plant Safety and Security.  He was a licensed Emergency Medical
Technician and First Aid instructor.  Through his involvement with the 
Jackson County American Red Cross, he taught C. P. R. and First Aid to over
3000 Jackson County citizens.  He served as National President of the Chemical
Fertilizer Manufacturing Division of the National Safety Council.  Mr. Willis
received numerous awards for contributions on the National and International
level including a Distinguished Service to Safety award.  He was a member of
over 60 years of the Lions Club, serving as President of the Chapters in both
Yazoo City and Pascagoula.  He was active in Dixie Youth Baseball and Boy
Scouts.  He served as a Deacon and front door greeter at First Baptist Church
in Pascagoula.  He was preceded in death by a grandson, Len Carroll; and
two brothers, Fay Willis and Welby Willis.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Rubye K. Willis, Pascagoula; two sons
and daughters in law, Dr. J. A. Willis, Jr. (Debbie), Pascagoula, Dr. Steve
Willis (Darlene), Pensacola, Fla.; three daughters and sons in law, Donna Seay
(Jim), Parkersburg, W. Va., Susan Carroll (Vane), Ponte Vedre Beach, Fla.,
Nancy Huhn (Darryl), Pensacola, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Tim Carroll, Kelly
Hof, Allison Gill, David Huhn, Scott Huhn, Katherine Willis, Rachael Willis,
Laura Willis, Hannah Willis, and Aaron Willis.

Visitation will be Tues., May 25, 1999, 9:00-11:00 a.m. at First Baptist
Church in Pascagoula.

Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dennis Ray Smith
officiating.

Interment will be in Machepelah Cemetery, Pascagoula.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Arrangements by O'Bryant-O-Keefe Funeral Home, Pascagoula and Gautier, Miss.