William Ray Willis

Reidsvlle - William "Bill" Willis, 84, of Reidsville, NC, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 atPenn Nursing Center. He was born on June 21, 1927 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the lateCharles Russell Willis and Elsie Frazee Willis. Bill and his wife Marjorie moved tothis area in 2003 from Mesa, Arizona. He was a member of Reidsville Christian Church.He was preceded in death by his brothers Russell Lee Willis and Charles Richard Willis, and sister-in-law Erlene Willis. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, MarjorieWillis of Avante At Reidsville, twin daughters Karen Hansen and husband Rick and Kathy Smith and husband Scott, both of Reidsville, grandchildren Brian Granillo andwife Amanda of Phoenix, Arizona, Lindsey M. Smith and Rachel E. Smith of Reidsville, great-grandsons Brenden J. Granillo and Knox William Granillo of Phoenix, Arizona, sister-in-law Peggy A. Willis of Citrus Springs, Florida, 4 nieces and 3 nephews.He served in the United States Navy as a Seaman First Class from January, 1945 until July, 1946.Bill dearly loved his family, his Lord, and his church. He worked for the telephone company in Ohio and Arizona; he retired after 34 years of faithful service. After retiring, he spent many hours installing and repairing the telephone systems for his church.Prior to his illness, Bill was a daily visitor at Avante At Reidsville. His family wishes to thank those who befriended him there. We also wish to express our appreciation for the care he received from his personal physician Dr. Scott A. Luking who cared for him for 8 years. Finally, we wish to thank the staff at Annie Penn Hospital and Penn Nursing Center for the excellent, compassionate care given to him there in his final weeks.