Cleeland R. Willis, 84, of Gallipolis, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Cleeland was married to Wanda L. Saunders on June 27, 1958, whom he met at Rio Grande College. She preceded him in death on February 7, 2016.
Born on February 10, 1937 in Lawrence County, Ohio, Cleeland was the son of the late Merrill and Myrtle Beatrice Waller Willis. Cleeland was a US Air Force veteran. In 1972, Cleeland graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science; he was a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Cleeland founded Willis Funeral Home in 1974. He was a member of First Baptist Church, the church choir, the John Stam Sunday School Class, Gallipolis Rotary Club, and the Senior Citizens Board. Cleeland enjoyed golfing, but he especially loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Cleeland is survived by his daughter, Lou Ann (Kent) Shawver of Gallipolis; son, Matthew R. (Letty) Willis of Gallipolis; grandchildren, Betsy (Aaron) Brown of Huntington, West Virginia, Zachary Willis (Julie) Shawver of Monclova, Ohio, Samuel (Katie) Shawver of Gallipolis, Brianne R. Willis of Gallipolis, and Brooke (Samuel) Frazier of Russell, Kentucky; great grandchildren, Zane and Nora Shawver, Sadie and Tucker Brown, and Lucas Shawver; and many nieces and nephews in both the Willis family and the Saunders family.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Cleeland was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Evelyn Kitts and Betty L. Patrick.
The funeral service for Cleeland will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Aaron Young and Pastor Marc Sarrett officiating. Those in attendance are asked to follow the CDC guideline of social distancing and are required to follow the Ohio mandate of wearing face masks. Burial will be in Providence Cemetery.
The family asks you to consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
Please visit willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.