Barney Harrell Willis, Sr., 69, of Tifton died Monday, February 3, 2014, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2014, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Andy Ring will officiate with burial to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Robert Setters, Hunt Sanders, Darrell Lightle, Mickey Bryant, Ted Bennett and Brandon Joyner will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Swan, Coy Barber, Freddie Miller and John Setters. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Willis was born on December 26, 1944 in Tift County and was the son of G. H. “Doc” Willis and Essie Pritchard Willis, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one son, Brian Hendrix Willis and a brother-in-law, Charles H. Lightle. He was a farmer and also worked at Brown Transport and Willis Country Meats. He enjoyed fishing and hanging out with his friends at the Waffle House and loved family gatherings. He was of the Methodist faith.
Mr. Willis is survived by one son, Barney Harrell Willis, Jr. of Tifton and his fiancé, Mary Warren; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Bobbie W. Lightle of Tifton and Billie W. and John Setters of Tifton; two grandchildren, Kerri Willis Joyner and husband Brandon and Jason Willis and his fiancé, Deaven Huckestein; one great-grandchild, Kiley Joyner; and his former wife and the mother of his children, Bonnie Lovett Chestnutt of Tifton.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.