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 Obituary
Colonel (Ret) William A. “Billy” Willis web posted October 1, 2011 EDGEFIELD – Colonel (Ret) William A. “Billy” Willis, 91, husband of Catherine Eve Nicholson Willis, of Wigfall St., passed away peacefully at his home in Edgefield on September 24, 2011. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday October 8, 2011 at 11 A.M. at the Hammond Family Cemetery in Beech Island, S.C with Military Honors. Colonel Willis was the son of the late Ralph Burroughs Willis and Harriet Pamela Davies Willis. He was born in Augusta, Ga. on June 6, 1920. He lived at the family home in Beech Island, S.C., and attended high school at Richmond Military Academy in Augusta. He graduated in 1942 from the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering, and he entered WW II immediately upon graduation. Colonel Willis served in the Pacific Theater as a test pilot and a Command Staff pilot throughout the War, but he found time during a short leave to return home to marry Catherine Eve Nicholson, his devoted wife of 67 years. Mr. Willis lived in Edgefield, S.C. with Catherine Eve after the war and continued his military career as an officer in the United States Air Force. He moved to Mobile, Ala. in 1959 to take command of Bates Field. He moved to Shreveport, La. in 1967, where he had a Wing Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command headquarters. During this period, he flew missions over Viet Nam. Colonel Willis transferred to Charleston, S.C. in 1969 to take command of a Reserve Unit at Charleston Air Force Base. His last assignment was at Robbins Air Force Base in Warner Robbins, Ga. He retired from the Air Force in 1982 and moved to Beaufort, S.C., where he enjoyed fishing and playing golf with his many dear friends. Billy and Catherine Eve returned to Edgefield in 2004. Colonel Willis is survived by his wife, his children- Dr. William Allen Willis, Jr. (Phyllis), Fayetteville, N.C., Elizabeth Bryan Willis, Edgefield, Pamela Davies Willis, Auckland, New Zealand, and Rhett N. Willis (Wayne), Savannah, Ga.; grandchildren- Dr. Rhett Willis, Jr., George Willis, David Turpin, John Turpin, and William Willis III. He was predeceased by siblings, Ann Willis Haskell, Ralph Burroughs Willis, Jr., and Mary Willis Smith. The family wishes to thank our dear friends Mary Alice Glover and Helen Jones, and those who gave support during his illness. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beech Island Cemetery Association 14665 Atomic Road, Beech Island, S.C., 29842, or to the charity of one’s choice. Please sign the register book at www.edgefieldmercantilefh.com Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. © Copyright 2011 All material is property of
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