John Elhanier Willis, 72, formerly of Bluefield, WV, entered eternal rest on April 27, 2022, at 2:20 a.m. at Wonder City Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Hopewell, VA.
"Butch", as he was affectionately known, was born to Elhanier (Coach) Willis and Jaunita Harris Willis (both deceased) on July 8, 1949, in Bluefield, WV. He attended public schools in Mercer County; Jones Street Elementary, Genoa Junior High, and Park Central High School where he was a three-sport athlete, graduating in 1968.
Afterwards, he attended West Virginia State College in Institute and was a member of the 1968 WVIAC Football Championship Team. Butch enjoyed singing and traveling as a member of the WVSC ROTC Glee Club and subsequently received his Associate degree in Recreation Management from Bluefield State College.
Butch was a member of Edwards Memorial Presbyterian and later, First Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
He was a lover of people (never meeting a stranger). He really enjoyed food (liking everything except celery he would say), music, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He held numerous jobs throughout the years in the Bluefield area. He received special recognition for his service at Sears and was awarded "Employee of the Year" at Hardees.
After the death of his mother, he could no longer live alone in Bluefield. In the ensuing years, he lived in Assisted Living facilities in Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Hopewell, VA.
He is survived by his sisters Amanda (Billy) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Edna Willis of Chester, VA, brother Chester (Diatricia) Willis, of Huntersville, NC, niece Rochelle (Larry) Thompson of Chester, VA, 3 Nephews-William (BJ) (Latoya) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Mychal Willis of Huntersville, NC, Stephen Willis of Huntersville, NC, 3 Great-Nephews-Jalen Sawyers of Fairfax, VA, Jamal Thompson of Norfolk, VA, Javon Sawyers and 2 Great-Nieces, Janae Thompson and Janiya Sawyers. One aunt, Helen Harris of Covington, VA, 19 first cousins and their families, and a host of other cousins, friends and people that knew and loved him.
Services to celebrate Butch's life will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 6605 New Hope Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. The chapel will be open for visitation and viewing at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.
"Butch", as he was affectionately known, was born to Elhanier (Coach) Willis and Jaunita Harris Willis (both deceased) on July 8, 1949, in Bluefield, WV. He attended public schools in Mercer County; Jones Street Elementary, Genoa Junior High, and Park Central High School where he was a three-sport athlete, graduating in 1968.
Afterwards, he attended West Virginia State College in Institute and was a member of the 1968 WVIAC Football Championship Team. Butch enjoyed singing and traveling as a member of the WVSC ROTC Glee Club and subsequently received his Associate degree in Recreation Management from Bluefield State College.
Butch was a member of Edwards Memorial Presbyterian and later, First Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
He was a lover of people (never meeting a stranger). He really enjoyed food (liking everything except celery he would say), music, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He held numerous jobs throughout the years in the Bluefield area. He received special recognition for his service at Sears and was awarded "Employee of the Year" at Hardees.
After the death of his mother, he could no longer live alone in Bluefield. In the ensuing years, he lived in Assisted Living facilities in Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Hopewell, VA.
He is survived by his sisters Amanda (Billy) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Edna Willis of Chester, VA, brother Chester (Diatricia) Willis, of Huntersville, NC, niece Rochelle (Larry) Thompson of Chester, VA, 3 Nephews-William (BJ) (Latoya) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Mychal Willis of Huntersville, NC, Stephen Willis of Huntersville, NC, 3 Great-Nephews-Jalen Sawyers of Fairfax, VA, Jamal Thompson of Norfolk, VA, Javon Sawyers and 2 Great-Nieces, Janae Thompson and Janiya Sawyers. One aunt, Helen Harris of Covington, VA, 19 first cousins and their families, and a host of other cousins, friends and people that knew and loved him.
Services to celebrate Butch's life will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 6605 New Hope Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. The chapel will be open for visitation and viewing at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.
John Elhanier Willis, 72, formerly of Bluefield, WV, entered eternal rest on April 27, 2022, at 2:20 a.m. at Wonder City Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Hopewell, VA.
"Butch", as he was affectionately known, was born to Elhanier (Coach) Willis and Jaunita Harris Willis (both deceased) on July 8, 1949, in Bluefield, WV. He attended public schools in Mercer County; Jones Street Elementary, Genoa Junior High, and Park Central High School where he was a three-sport athlete, graduating in 1968.
Afterwards, he attended West Virginia State College in Institute and was a member of the 1968 WVIAC Football Championship Team. Butch enjoyed singing and traveling as a member of the WVSC ROTC Glee Club and subsequently received his Associate degree in Recreation Management from Bluefield State College.
Butch was a member of Edwards Memorial Presbyterian and later, First Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
He was a lover of people (never meeting a stranger). He really enjoyed food (liking everything except celery he would say), music, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He held numerous jobs throughout the years in the Bluefield area. He received special recognition for his service at Sears and was awarded "Employee of the Year" at Hardees.
After the death of his mother, he could no longer live alone in Bluefield. In the ensuing years, he lived in Assisted Living facilities in Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Hopewell, VA.
He is survived by his sisters Amanda (Billy) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Edna Willis of Chester, VA, brother Chester (Diatricia) Willis, of Huntersville, NC, niece Rochelle (Larry) Thompson of Chester, VA, 3 Nephews-William (BJ) (Latoya) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Mychal Willis of Huntersville, NC, Stephen Willis of Huntersville, NC, 3 Great-Nephews-Jalen Sawyers of Fairfax, VA, Jamal Thompson of Norfolk, VA, Javon Sawyers and 2 Great-Nieces, Janae Thompson and Janiya Sawyers. One aunt, Helen Harris of Covington, VA, 19 first cousins and their families, and a host of other cousins, friends and people that knew and loved him.
Services to celebrate Butch's life will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 6605 New Hope Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. The chapel will be open for visitation and viewing at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.
"Butch", as he was affectionately known, was born to Elhanier (Coach) Willis and Jaunita Harris Willis (both deceased) on July 8, 1949, in Bluefield, WV. He attended public schools in Mercer County; Jones Street Elementary, Genoa Junior High, and Park Central High School where he was a three-sport athlete, graduating in 1968.
Afterwards, he attended West Virginia State College in Institute and was a member of the 1968 WVIAC Football Championship Team. Butch enjoyed singing and traveling as a member of the WVSC ROTC Glee Club and subsequently received his Associate degree in Recreation Management from Bluefield State College.
Butch was a member of Edwards Memorial Presbyterian and later, First Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
He was a lover of people (never meeting a stranger). He really enjoyed food (liking everything except celery he would say), music, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He held numerous jobs throughout the years in the Bluefield area. He received special recognition for his service at Sears and was awarded "Employee of the Year" at Hardees.
After the death of his mother, he could no longer live alone in Bluefield. In the ensuing years, he lived in Assisted Living facilities in Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Hopewell, VA.
He is survived by his sisters Amanda (Billy) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Edna Willis of Chester, VA, brother Chester (Diatricia) Willis, of Huntersville, NC, niece Rochelle (Larry) Thompson of Chester, VA, 3 Nephews-William (BJ) (Latoya) Sawyers of Williamsburg, VA, Mychal Willis of Huntersville, NC, Stephen Willis of Huntersville, NC, 3 Great-Nephews-Jalen Sawyers of Fairfax, VA, Jamal Thompson of Norfolk, VA, Javon Sawyers and 2 Great-Nieces, Janae Thompson and Janiya Sawyers. One aunt, Helen Harris of Covington, VA, 19 first cousins and their families, and a host of other cousins, friends and people that knew and loved him.
Services to celebrate Butch's life will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 6605 New Hope Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. The chapel will be open for visitation and viewing at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.
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