Funeral Services for Mr. Noah Gerald Willis, 75, of Piedmont will be Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 at 2:00 PM from Dansby Heritage Chapel with entombment in Nances Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 15 from 2- 7 PM at Dansby Heritage Chapel. Rev. Floyd Willis, Rev. Stanley Willis, US Congressman Mike Rogers and Rev. John Cole will officiate. Mr. Willis passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, February 13, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Noah Sanford and Myra Lou Rainey Willis.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years: Frances Keener Willis; son: Keith (Tonyia Fox) Willis; daughters: Kim (Johnny) Pruitt and LaBreeska (Kirk) Ponder; brothers: Rev. Floyd (Elsie) Willis, Rev. Stanley (Sandra) Willis and Jimmy (Melissa) Willis; sister: Martha (Paul) Hancock; grandchildren: Damien Willis, Noah Willis, Raina Willis, LaCoda Garza, Skyler Garza, Kiley Lockridge, Lily Ponder and Charley Ponder; great grandchildren: Sidni Thornhill and Brantlin Lockridge; and numerous nieces and nephews. An astute businessman, he was involved in many activities in Calhoun County as well as his church activities. He was the owner / operator of Gerald Willis Lumber Company for most of his career along with being a life long cattle farmer. He was a member of Nances Creek Congregational Holiness Church where he taught Sunday School for 40 years. He served as a Calhoun County Commissioner, was a member of Piedmont Lions Club, Civitan Club, Alabama Farmers Federation for 40 years, the Cattlemen Association, the Alabama Forestry Association, and served in several capacities with the North AL District of Congregational Holiness Churches. While serving as an AL State representative, he served on the following committees Ways & Means, Small Business, Commerce, Business and Labor, and the Constitution & Election Committee. His greatest accomplishment came when he was appointed by President George W. Bush to the NRCS and went to Hawaii to teach about renewable energy. He became known in many states in 1984 when he was a Presidential Candidate.
Dansby Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Willis Family.