John L. Willis

July 8, 1940 - January 27, 2020

John L. Willis was born on July 8, 1940, in Parkin, Arkansas, to the late parentage of Ms. Mattie Lee Jones and Mr. Detroit Willis. At an early age, John was baptized at McDonald Church in Cross County, Arkansas. He was educated in the Parkin School District. In 1964, he met and married Mrs. Nettie Mae Wiley Willis, who preceded him in death. During his early adult life, John L. worked full-time as a custodian with Palm Beach County Public Schools and part-time at Florida Atlantic University, until he retired. The eldest of eight children, he had a passion for all sports. Whenever a game was on, one could find him at home watching the NFL and NBA teams. Although he enjoyed both football and basketball, his love for fishing was beyond compare! Even if he didn’t catch anything, the sport was a stress-reliever for him. On Monday, January 27, 2020, John L. Willis folded his chair, packed his fishing gear and took a walk to a place where the streets are paved in gold. Along the way, he joined his parents and brothers, John Arthur Bradley, Willie Fisher and Roy Bradley, who preceded him in death. Although John L. will be missed from various aspects of our lives, we know that God doesn’t make any mistakes. John L. Willis leaves to cherish his memories: two daughters, Vernell Willis of Pompano Beach, FL, and Deanna Neal of Delray Beach, FL; one son, Dexter Hazel of Delray Beach, FL; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Roberta Lake of Phoenix, AZ, and Burney Ray Watley of New Port, KY; two brothers, Robert Bradley of St. Louis, MO, and Bobbie Bradley of Minneapolis, MN; a special nephew, Prentess Wheeler of Boynton Beach, FL; two close friends, William “PeeWee” Richardson and Freddy Edgecomb, both of Delray Beach, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many sorrowing relatives and friends.