U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Keith Alan Willis, 44, passed away Feb. 13, 2009, in Kittery, Maine. Cmdr. Keith Willis assumed command of USCGC TAHOMA (WMEC 908) home-ported in Kittery in May of 2007. Prior to USCGC TAHOMA, he served as the Coast Guard Liaison at Commander, U.S. Second Fleet and the Assistant Coast Guard Liaison at U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Joint Forces Command from August 2004 through August 2006 in Suffolk. Comdr. Willis was a 1989 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science in government. He then furthered his education and earned a master's degree in public administration from Troy State University in 2000 and a master's degree in national security policy from the U.S. Naval War College in 2004. He enlisted in the Coast Guard as a seaman apprentice in 1983. Keith is survived by his wife of 15 years, Carolyn Ann Willis; a daughter, Melissa Willis; a son, Matthew Willis; his parents, Erlene Tandy Willis and Harlon Clyde Willis; a sister, Karen S. Stowe and brother-in-law, Jeff Stowe. He also leaves behind numerous other devoted relatives and friends. Keith was a member of the Churchland Assembly of God where he served as Royal Ranger Commander. He loved to play basketball and his favorite team was the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He also enjoyed golf and was an amateur painter. A funeral to celebrate Keith's life will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in Churchland Assembly of God by Pastor Larry O'Brien. Burial will follow the service in the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, with full military honors. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. in Loving Funeral Home, 3225 Academy Ave., Portsmouth. Memorial contributions in Keith's memory may be made to the Willis Children's Scholarship Fund set up by his Coast Guard Academy classmates with checks made payable to Class of 1989 Trust, c/o Mr. Charles Coiro, 3 Rainbow Court, Quaker Hill, CT 06375 or go to www.USCG89.org.

Obituary, Loving Funeral Home.