MR. KENNETH ERWIN WILLIS – Age 72, of Dalton, GA passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2020. He was born on November 30, 1947 to the late Ralph Eugene Willis and Ethel Lee Taylor Willis in Dalton. He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, attended Emery Street School, Dalton Junior College, Kennesaw Community College, and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp. He retired from the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Mr. Willis was a Master Mason, 32nd Degree Rome Consistery, member of the Dalton Masonic Lodge No. 238, NAACP, Soul Seekers Ministry Motorcycle Club.
Survivors are his loving and devoted wife of fifty-two years, Barbara Ann Richardson Willis of Dalton, Georgia; one son, Barry Juitt Willis, Sr. of Marietta, Georgia; daughter, Kimberly Nicole Willis Mitchell of Marietta, Georgia; grandchildren, Taylor Gage Mitchell, and Barry Juitt Willis, II, of Marietta; one sister, Karen Shropshire of Fayetteville, Georgia; two brothers, Ralph (Tammie) Willis of Dalton, Georgia, Monty (Jackie) Willis of Marietta; aunts, Eva Nelle (Hanford) Willis Stafford of Prospect, Kentucky, Beverly Anderson of Oak Park, Michigan, Linda Taylor of Michigan; uncles, Jeff Davis Taylor, Jr. of Albion, Michigan, Robert Earl Taylor of Battlecreek, Michigan; nieces, Tracie Famber, Zakia (Michael) Banks, Heather (Matt) Bohrman, Jamila Willis, Taylor Willis, special nieces, Rhonda Vassar, and Nikki Smith; nephews, Randall (Dre) Shropshire, Richie Willis, Drew (Terri) Bonds, Imani Willis, Job Willis, Ché (Shantel) Powers, Maynard Stokes (fiancé, Stephanie); other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral Service will be on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 12:00 noon at the Chapel with Minister Benjamin Phillips, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday and Friday after 12:00 Noon. Interment at West Hill Cemetery with full Military Honors. Service will be recorded and uploaded to the Willis Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook account after the service. Arrangements entrusted Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the educational fund of Kenny's grandsons to Mrs. Barbara Willis,2210 Rocky Face Circle, Dalton, Georgia 30720.
Our condolences to the Willis family. Earl and Felicia Powell
I send my sincere condolences to the family of Kenny Willis. Barbara, I remember working with you at Dalton High and having Kim in my classes. My love and prayers to each of you.
ourdeepest Sympathy to the Wills Family The Whitfield, Lindsey Cobb Family.
I met K.E. when I was stationed in Dalton, in the early eighties. From the beginning , it was so obvious that he loved his family, our Country, and was proud to be a Georgia Trooper. We shared many meals and shifts over the years. Kenny was sincere, and had a great sense of humor. He was a good man, and a fine example of a State Trooper. I'm proud to have patrolled with him. Prayers to all the Willis family. Sincerely, Capt. J. Don Stultz (Ret.) Troop A Commander
My condolences to the Willis family. I worked with K. E. in the late nineties until his retirement. You'll not find a better human being that fits the title of not only a Trooper but just a kind gentleman. He will be missed. Sgt K. D. Hemphill #967 (Ret)
For as long as we have known Monty and Jackie we have known how much Monty loved his big brother Kenny! To Barbara and the entire Willis family we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Roslyn and Mark Terrell
To Barbara and the Willis family our prayers are with you doing this time in your life. I have known Ken for a short time but we have had some wonderful times together. He loved his family and friends. He has been a blessing to me . A true friend and brother in Christ. My the heavenly Father give you comfort now and the days to come. Proverbs 3:5-6
Pastor Alonzo W. Noble
I will never forget his kindness towards my boys .. he took care of them .. I am so sorry. Connie. Duncan. Carpenter.
To the Willis family words are difficult to express for such a time as this but I will pray that God our Father who is touched by the feelings of your hurt and grief shall comfort your hearts and give you all the strength now and in days to come. TO my 1974 classmate and graduate Mr. Monty Ray Willis The Lord bless you and keep you. Love- Pastor Melanie Prather & The New Covenant Deliverance Tabernacle
We were so saddened by the death of Kenny. A loss for us all and the community. Boo boo will be missed.love Jimmy and Sandra and family
So sorry for your loss praying for you and your beautiful family Love you all
Our Deepest Condolences To The Family.Hillie&Renee Baker,Ringgold Ga.
Condolences to you and your family praying for y'all Cookie Kim and Barry and the entire Willis Family Kenny was a great Man and definitely will be miss love y'all. Kenny and Shelia Lowery
Cookie My condolences to you Kim And Barry I have always loved you and Kenny he was always a great Man I appreciate you both for all the love y'all gave my Brother (Ronnie) and he thought a lot of both of you May God Bless you and your Family Gone but never will be forgotten love y'all
with Deepest sympathy Our prayers are with your family Arthur White and family
Prayers are being lifted for the Willis family during this time to give you strength and comfort. God's love will help you through even the toughest days. We are sending LOVE and HUGS to you all. We are Maya's family from Kentucky. God Bless.
My condolences to the WILLIS family. My God be with you at this difficult time. My name is Terri Short Soul Seekers MM Nashville Tennessee
Cook ie hold on to the memories surely know what you going through at this sad time in life praying for you as well Patsy MacDade and family
Deepest Sympathy and loving memory of the school years we had together. Always a friend. Kaye Frances Moody and family
Praying for the Willis family at this precious time. Pastor Charles Catchings in the Liberty Baptist Church family and friends
Sending our Prayers and Condolences to the family. Helen Manning & Family
I am saddened to learn of Kenny's passing. I was the first Trooper that he worked with when he came to Dalton Patrol Station. I have some good memories of him. You are in my prayers for God to comfort you. Lamar Hodges #561
Dear Cookie this is Jimmy & Margie Blalock and our daughter and her family. We remember our old school days together. We just wanted to tell you we are very sorry for your loss and we wanted to make sure you have just a few comforting scriptures. We know these scriptures have encouraged our family during this time and we pray you and you're family will be encouraged and comforted.
Acts 24:15 Revelations 21:3,4 Isaiah 33:24
May God continue to bless and keep the family. Praying for your comfort during this time of bereavement. J. Sumpter (friend of Monty and Jackie).
My Condolences to the Family: There are no goodbyes The angels are always near for those who are grieving, It is not the length of life, but depth of life.(Velina Weaver-Cohutta, GA}
Dear Cookie, Barry and Kim, My heart has been so sad since hearing of Kenny's passing. My family and I thought highly of Kenny and respected him deeply. I admired Kenny for the relationship that he had with my niece Heather Willis Bohrman and nephew Richie Willis. They both loved him so much. My daughter Ashlee also referred to Kenny as " Uncle Kenny" for she too was very fond of him. Kenny had that kind of impact on those he met. Kenny was the epitome of a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. His shoes will be hard to fill. I would like to leave you with this quote by Gandhi: " The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Kenny lived this way in serving others. Respectfully, Deanna Baker
Even though you have left us, the love and friendship remains. If the Lord had given me a brother, I would of asked him to send you. Thank you for your insight, the guidance and the wonderful memories riding our bikes and being a big brother to me. My condolences to everyone in the family. Marcus & Cordia Starling
To the Family and Friends of Kenneth , Words cannot heal the pain of losing someone so dear. May God give you the strength to overcome the pain. Betty Quinn and Family (Bronx, New York)
Our hearts and prayers go out to each of you as you go through this difficult time in your lives New Hope Baptist Church usher board- Velina Weaver
Love you all cookie Karen Monty Ralph you all are in my prayers love sadie and family
To a truly wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. You left your mark Kenny, the world has lost a shining star. Rest in peace K.knowing you leave an indelible example for those of us who you leave behind of a life well lived.
Gene and Norah
We are praying for you all and we love you, from the Mountain Ridge Baptist Church Family. Dr. Jerry D. Jones Sr., Pastor
To the Willis family our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Kenny was a good man and will always be forever in our hearts. Kenny will be missed but not forgotten. Love you. Jimmie,Deanna, Ashley.
Kenny was a great man and he will be missed .
Our Prayers are with you and the family. Class of 1967
To the family, we are lifting you up in prayer. We love you. Pastor Eugene and Claudia Miller
Barbara and family, my heart was so saddened at the passing of Kenny. May the comfort and support of those who love you along with the wonderful memories you hold so deeply within your hearts, give you strength at at this difficult time. I pray that the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds during this difficult time. Keeping you close in heart and prayer. Always, friend Carol
My deepest sympathy to the Willis family. From A long time Friend. Representative Dewayne Hill
My condolences to the Willis family. Kenny was a wonderful childhood friend, we shared many days together playing basketball and just having fun. He will be greatly missed. Carolyn Gordon Cherry
Those we love never die for they live on in our hearts and memories I remember him as one of the first people I met when I first moved to Dalton in the late seventies Always a gentleman and sincerely respectful of and to everyone May the sweet fragrance of his life linger with his family I pass GOD'S peace to all of you He is done with the trouble of this world and has gone on to be with the Lord This is not good bye just until you meet again Marvin L Henderson Kent OH
Praying for the Willis Family. The Ralph Whitener Children
Our deepest sympathy to the family
Henry and Myra Baker & Family
Cookie, you and the kids are in my prayers. . Linda Cofield
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.