Obituary for Bana "Junior" Willis Jr.
Bana ‘Junior’ Willis Jr., 83, of Jonesville, formerly of Hollister, Fla., passed away peacefully Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Holston Valley Medical Center following a short illness.
He was born July 28, 1937 in Haysi, one of 11 children of the late Bana Willis Sr. and Mellie Blair Willis.
He graduated from Haysi High School in 1957.
He was an active volunteer with the Jonesville Lights in the Park, a Christmas event held annually at Cumberland Bowl Park.
He married Janice Mullins, who preceded him in death. The couple lived in Florida, where Junior was a supervisor for Georgia-Pacific Paper Company. He retired in 1999.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Rose Smith; one son, Matt; six brothers, Foy, Jack, Buster, Gene, Amos and Andy; and one sister, JoAnn Steele.
His survivors include his son, David and girlfriend, Tammy of Hollister, Fla.; his fiancée, Shirley Watson of Jonesville; his extended family, Donna and Tim Lock of Jonesville, Rick and Lori Watson of Jonesville, Rex and Lisa McCarty of Gate City and Todd Watson of Abingdon; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sisters, Mae Mullins of Goldsboro, N.C., Marie Wallace of Haysi and Debbie Kirby of Goldsboro, N.C.; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Haysi Funeral Home, Haysi, Va.
Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. in the chapel with Elder Jim O’Quinn officiating. He will be laid to rest in Interlachen, Florida.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone planning to attend the services is asked to wear a face covering and practice social distancing.
Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
He was born July 28, 1937 in Haysi, one of 11 children of the late Bana Willis Sr. and Mellie Blair Willis.
He graduated from Haysi High School in 1957.
He was an active volunteer with the Jonesville Lights in the Park, a Christmas event held annually at Cumberland Bowl Park.
He married Janice Mullins, who preceded him in death. The couple lived in Florida, where Junior was a supervisor for Georgia-Pacific Paper Company. He retired in 1999.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Rose Smith; one son, Matt; six brothers, Foy, Jack, Buster, Gene, Amos and Andy; and one sister, JoAnn Steele.
His survivors include his son, David and girlfriend, Tammy of Hollister, Fla.; his fiancée, Shirley Watson of Jonesville; his extended family, Donna and Tim Lock of Jonesville, Rick and Lori Watson of Jonesville, Rex and Lisa McCarty of Gate City and Todd Watson of Abingdon; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sisters, Mae Mullins of Goldsboro, N.C., Marie Wallace of Haysi and Debbie Kirby of Goldsboro, N.C.; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Haysi Funeral Home, Haysi, Va.
Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. in the chapel with Elder Jim O’Quinn officiating. He will be laid to rest in Interlachen, Florida.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone planning to attend the services is asked to wear a face covering and practice social distancing.
Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.