Chesley I. Willis, 83, of Irwinville died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009, in Salem Memorial Gardens at Salem Baptist Church. Rev. Howard Kitchens will officiate with burial to follow in Salem Memorial Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Abba Baptist Church Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 5, 2009, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Willis was born on March 25, 1925 in Turner County and was the son of Benjamin Joshua Willis and Rosa Etta Land Willis, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Mae McCrary Willis; six brothers, Carl Willis, David Willis, Johnny Willis, Curtis Willis, Clarence Willis and Thomas Hardy; four sisters, Edna Mixon, Euna Pearl West, Ida Mae McAllister and Eloise Willis; and one granddaughter, Carrie Lightsey Castleberry. He was a retired farmer and worked at American Blanching. He was also a United States Army veteran and a member of Abba Baptist Church in Irwinville, where he served as a deacon.
Mr. Willis is survived by his wife, Emma Rowell “Beadea” Willis of Irwinville; children Lyn Willis (Starr), Danny Willis (Michelle), Wanda Souter (Felton), Shirley Webb (Bill), Emily Lightsey (James), and Melissa Rutland (Steve); 12 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; one brother, Charles Harvey Willis; and two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Willis and Virginia Willis.