CLEMSON - Dr. Samuel Marsh Willis, 88, of Clemson, died May 31, 2016, after a short illness. "Sam" was married to Martha "Mot" Gravely, originally of Walhalla, with whom he enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Sam was born February 18, 1928, the son of Marie Marsh Willis and Perry Dolphus Willis. He grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1945. Sam graduated from Clemson College in 1950 after an 18 month interruption for service in the United States Army. Between 1950 and 1962 Sam taught at Clemson while completing his master's at Georgia Tech and his Ph.D. at the University of Alabama. Sam's post-graduate degrees were in industrial management. In 1962, Sam left Clemson to become a plant manager for Milliken Company in Spartanburg. After working with Milliken for two years, Sam returned to Clemson to teach in the newly formed Industrial Management department. Later, Sam would also serve Clemson University in administrative roles as director for the expansion campus in Sumter (now USC-Sumter) and as Dean of University Extension. In 2011, he was honored, as his portrait was unveiled in the administrative conference room of the Sumter Campus. Sam returned to teaching at Augusta College after taking an early retirement from Clemson. Sam retired in 1988 to become what he called a "full-time itinerate grandpa" known to all as Popa Sam. Sam is survived by a sister, Perryne Williamson, and four children: Dr. S. Marsh Willis (Lynn) of Columbia, Katherine Marie Willis of Clemson, Marty Willis Josey (Rene') of Florence, and Perry Edward Willis (Michelle) of Greer; grandchildren, Carter McElveen (Andy), Hayden Willis (Colleen Maciag), Justin McCrary (Kasey ), Jamie McCrary, John McCrary, Harrison Josey, Matthew Josey, Jason Huff (Melanie), Erika Stokes (Travis); and great-grandchildren, Nora Lynn McElveen, Will McCrary, Merrick McCrary, Madeline Wren McCrary, Taylor Huff, Morgan Huff, Lexi Stokes, Asheton Stokes, Hunter Stokes and Zaidee Grace Stokes. He was predeceased by a sister, Mae Elizabeth Sandford. Sam was a lifelong supporter of Clemson athletics - even celebrating the baseball team's ACC championship shortly before his death. He was an active member of the Clemson Masonic Lodge and the Clemson United Methodist Church. In addition to enjoying his role as grandfather, Sam enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and spending time at the mountain cabin that he and Mot shared at Lake Becky in Oconee County. A memorial service celebrating Sam's life will be held at Clemson United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 2 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to Clemson United Methodist Church (PO Box 590, Clemson, SC 29633) or the Clemson University Foundation (PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633).
Published in The State on June 3, 2016