Edward Willis, Jr. was born on January 21, 1951 in Charleston, to the late Catherine and Edward Willis, Sr. of Charleston. On Friday, November 10, 2023, God called him home. Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine and Edward Willis Sr., his grandparents, Charlie Rivers and Anna Brown and his aunt, Alma Byrd. Edward, in his early years, was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Pineville. Edward attended Central High School and Burke High School. Edward graduated from Morris College with the Class of 1974, Sumter. Prior to graduating, he met the love of his life, Patricia Kennedy, whom became his wife on July 23, 1974. Edward joined the U. S. Air Force in 1975 and was a Desert Storm Veteran. He honorably served 20 years of active duty service at various locations, both stateside and abroad. Post military retirement, Edward worked for the South Carolina Department of Transportation as well as the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville. Edward was also an active member of the American Legion Group where he served as Sargent-At-Arms at Ballard Palmer Bates American Legion Post 202. Edward was very caring and loving to his wife and daughter. Edward was also very giving to his extended family members. He fully enjoyed retirement, loved life, cherished spending time with his loved ones and attending auctions. Edward memories will be cherished by: his wife of 49 years, Patricia Willis of Sumter; his daughter, Tonya Willis of Reisterstown, MD; his siblings, George (Evelyn) Willis of Cross, SC, Annie Mae Willis of Charleston, SC, Otto Willis of Cross, SC, and Stephen Willis of Atlanta, GA; his cousins, Robert Lee Jefferson, Wilford Jefferson and Joseph Jefferson all of Pineville, SC, Josephine Gillard of Charleston, SC, Ronald Byrd of Summerville, SC, Marvin Byrd of St. Stephen, SC, Ruthie Mae Jefferson of New York and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and multitude of friends. In accordance with the COVID 19 guidelines, the family is requesting no visitation at the home. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 20, 2023 at 10:00 a. m. in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 821 North Main Street, Sumter, with the Rev. Mikel Jenkins, presiding and the Rev. Dr. J. Elbert Williams, Eulogist. The procession will leave the home at 9:20 a. m. Burial will follow at 12:00 noon in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia.
Condolence Messages
Leave Your Condolence
Please feel free to sign the Guest Register and forward your condolences to friends and family members who have suffered a loss. Please enter your words of remembrance in the space provided. You may select whether you wish for us to deliver them to the family, display them online or both. Please note that Williams Funeral Home, Inc. will review all messages before they are published on the world-wide web or forwarded to family members. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. Thank-you.