James "Jimmy" 'Jimmy' Willis

Obituary James Jimmy Dalton Willis, 79, of Beaufort died on Thursday, May 29th, 2014 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 8th, at Ann Street United Methodist Church in Beaufort with the Rev. David C. Wade officiating. The interment with military honors and Masonic rites will follow at Carteret Memorial Gardens. Jimmy was born at home on May 16th, 1935 and raised in the Promise Land-Morehead City by Dola and Novella Willis, descendants of whalers and fishermen from Diamond City. As a child, he recalled seeing his grandfather jump off a fishing boat and ride on the back of a sea turtle! He attended Morehead High School where he was king of the football field landing him a scholarship to play at Chowan College. He still enjoyed seeing his classmates to reminisce those good ole days. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Downum Willis of Beaufort, on August 2, 1957. He served his country for 2 years in the National Guard, and 21 years in the Coast Guard, retiring from Ft Macon as Master Damage Control Chief E9. A fearless and courageous man, stories abound about the many times in which he saved the lives of others through his activities in the Coast Guard, as a lifeguard, as a fire chief, and as a neighbor. He was a member of the Franklin Lodge #109 and a devoted member of Ann Street Methodist Church, where he continued his CG Damage Control duties there in everything from cutting the lawn, painting the Eure building, roasting peanuts with the Methodist Men, and singing bass in the choir. Among his favorite things to do were going mullet fishing with his family, shrimping at Shackleford Banks, and going duck and deer hunting!! He is survived by his wife, Barbara Downum Willis; daughter, Gay Willis, son Todd Willis, sister, Sherry Cheezem, cousin Norman Larkee, son-in-law George Marge, daughter-in-law Kim Willis, and 5 grandchildren: Dana Gay Willis, Harrison Kirk Willis, Gabriel James Marge, Cristopher Chadwick Marge, and Kory Elizabeth Willis and many friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Nathaniel Willis, George Kelly (GK) and Gary Kent (Gary) Willis. The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, on Saturday, June 7, from 6:00 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Promise Land Society, P.O. Box 7, Morehead City, NC 28557, Ann Street United Methodist Church, 417 Ann Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 or the charity of ones choice. Visitation Saturday June 7, 2014 , 6:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. Brooks Funeral Home Funeral Service Sunday June 8, 2014 , 3:00 p.m. Ann Street United Methodist Church Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of James "Jimmy" 'Jimmy' Willis