James Everett Willis, age 95, passed away at his home in Crestview, FL on May 10th, 2023. He was born May 5th, 1928 in Birmingham, Alabama. He is preceeded in death by his parents, Albert Willis and Velma Kinman Willis, brother MIA Corporal Charles Albert Willis and son-in-law David Scott Harrison. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 61 years Betty Kilpatrick Willis, son Charles Patrick Willis of Florala, AL, daughter Susan Willis Smith and her husband James of Muscle Shoals, AL and grandchildren Grant Willis Harrison, Aspen Summer Mahala Willis and Aaron James Smith.
As a young man, Jim loved racing motorcycles, flying airplanes and gliders and driving fast cars. He was mechanically inclined and could fix anything. He enjoyed crop dusting as a hobby early in life and he loved playing on his John Deere tractor during his farming years. He was drafted into military service in 1950 and spent two years in the United States Army as a Sergeant at Camp Polk, Louisiana.
He met Betty in Birmingham and they were married on August 19th, 1961. They lived in Houston then Friendswood, TX until Jim retired from the Merchant Marines and they moved back home. During his 40 year career, he sailed around the world as an engineer on merchant ships. In Texas, they were active members of the Wesleyan church. Early in their marriage, Jim and Betty enjoyed traveling across the country in his Bellanca airplane and two camper vans. They fondly remember one trip in the camper to Canada to see the 1967 World's Fair. He spent his 35 years of retirement in Laurel Hill, FL where he enjoyed raising his family and Limousine cattle, going to the Super Gym and tending to beautiful vegetable gardens and his fruit orchard. Throughout his life, Jim loved being a part of Betty's large family and considered them his own. As his health declined, Jim and Betty moved to Crestview, FL where they live with their daughter Susan.
He was a devoted member of Christian Home United Methodist Church, the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Florida Panhandle Cattleman's Association. He volunteered for many years as a Deputy at the polls during Okaloosa County elections. He will be missed by his large, extended family and many friends.

Funeral services for James Everett Willis will be Saturday, May 13th at 11 AM at Evans Funeral Home in Florala, AL. Pastor Kevin Holland will be officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Florala.

Please join us in remembering James Everett Willis by visiting our Memorial at evansfuneralhomeal.com. Through this site we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.