Noted Painter of Southwestern Scenes. Joseph "J.R." Roy Willis was a noted painter of Southwestern scenes. Although called the "Aspen King" in art circles, he liked best his portrait work and Southwestern scenes. For year's he traveled each summer to the Grand Canyon to paint the scenes there. One particular large painting of the Grand Canyon is currently in the possession of his great-niece and her husband. He is often known for his tree landscapes and Indian subject paintings and photography. J.R. Willis was born on November 24, 1876 in Goloid Community of Screven County, Georgia. He was the son of Thomas Jefferson Willis (b. November, 3 1852, Florida, d. March 6, 1922, Miami, Dade County, Florida) and Suzannah Moore Willis (b. March 17, 1854, Screven County. Georgia, d. July 9, 1935, Miami, Dade County, Florida). J.R. married 1) Easterling, Temperance Currie (b. June 22, 1873, Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia, d. March 5, 1955, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee) on June 21, 1899, Reidsville, Tattnall County, Georgia. He married 2) Fannie Violet Powell, "Aunt Violet" as she was called by the family. To J.R. and his first wife Temperance Easterling Currie Willis were born: 1) Datos Frierson Willis (b. September 28, 1900, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia, d. August 16, 1975, 2) Martha Louise Willis (b. May 13, 1903, Reidsville, Tattnall County, Georgia, d. July 7, 1983), and Emily Sue Willis (b. April 27, 1906, Atlanta, Fulton, County, Georgia, d. August 29, 2002, Brandon, Hillsborough County, Florida). J.R. Willis sold his first art work, a pen and ink illustration of the War with Spain, to a paper in Forsyth, Monroe County, Georgia. In 1902-1903, he was employed by the McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. art department. He later had an art studio in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, and drew cartoons for the "Georgian & News." For 10 years, he traveled as a chalk-talk artist for the Chautauqua. He was one of the pioneers in the field of animated cartoons for movies. Mr. Willis first came to New Mexico in 1917. He settled in Gallup where he painted the Indians. He later lived in Albuquerque since 1931. Mr. Willis annually held an open house at his home on his birthday for friends and relatives. His paintings are still available hanging in art galleries throughout the Southwestern states. Various family members are still in the possession of many of his works. Joseph Roy "J.R." Willis died on December 30, 1960 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico. He is buried alongside his second wife, Fannie Violet "Aunt Violet" Powell Willis, in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The graves are marked.

Much of the information on Joseph Roy "J.R" Willis was supplied and edited by his grandson Scott Peeler. The submitter is the husband of J.R. Willis' great-niece.