I am saddened to share the July 9 passing of Virginia Wesleyan Trustee
Emeritus Benjamin J. Willis, Jr., one of the institution’s very first
Trustees and one of the Board’s longest-serving members. Below I share
his obituary, with memorial service details, as it was published in
today’s Virginian-Pilot:
From his home in Norfolk, VA, Benjamin
Johnson Willis, Jr. left this world to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, on July 9, 2017. Ben was born on June 3, 1920 to Benjamin
Johnson Willis Sr. and Alice Robertson Willis. He was predeceased by his
parents and his sister Alice Willis Denny. Ben was a lifelong resident
of Norfolk and while he was a private, humble and gentle person, he
believed in duty, honor and responsibility which guided his life. Ben
was an Eagle Scout and supported Scouting as an adult. He graduated from
Maury High School in 1938 and from Hampden Sydney College in 1942.
During the summer in Virginia Beach he was a lifeguard in front of the
Warner Hotel and cultivated a fondness of swimming. He was convinced
that an ocean swim was superior to an ordinary pool swim. He studied at
the University of Virginia and lived on the lawn until his studies were
interrupted when he was called to service by the US Navy. He was a
salvage diver on the USS Moreno during World War II. He was later called
back into service and took command of LST 1154, the USS Tallahatchie
County, during the Korean War. He remained in the Naval Reserves until
his retirement as a Commander.
He worked in the family business,
Willis Furniture Company, with his Grandfather, Father, Uncles and
numerous family members. Upon his Father's death in 1965, he assumed the
leadership role until his retirement from daily duties in 1998;
thereafter, he remained involved in the business until his death. Ben
was a leader in the furniture industry having served as Chairman of the
Southern Home Furnishings Association and having served 11 years on the
Board of the National Home Furnishings Association.
He was a
member of Ghent United Methodist Church and the Lambeth Bible Class. Ben
was one of the first and longest serving members of the Board of
Trustees of Virginia Wesleyan College. He was also President of the
Board of Trustees of the Methodist Children's Home in Richmond, Va.
He
was a member of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club, the Princess Anne
Country Club, the Norfolk Rotary Club, and the Norfolk German Club. He
served as Chairman of the Board of directors of the Better Business
Bureau, and of the Retail Merchants Association of Tidewater (The Retail
Alliance), and served as a Board Member of the former Crestar Bank.
Ben had deep Virginia roots on his mother's side and was a member of the Jamestown Society.
He
is survived by his wife of 57 years, Blair Robertson Willis, the jewel
in his crown, his daughter Martha Blair FitzGerald and husband Chip, son
Jeff R. Willis, MD and wife Lauren Willis, MD and son Ben Willis III
and wife Jenny and grandchildren PJ and Blair FitzGerald, Claire, Anna,
Audrey, and Megan Willis and Xander and Caroline Willis.
A
memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 13th at
Ghent United Methodist Church, 531 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA, and a
reception to follow at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Burial will
be private in Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to Virginia Wesleyan College or to the charity
of the donor's choice. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel is
handling arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family
through www.hdoliver.com.
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Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
