Mr. Walter B. Willis, age 77, passed away June 19, 2026, at his home in Henderson.

He was born in Lansing, WV, on January 23, 1949, son of the late Burt and Mary Ruth Workman Willis. He grew up in Lansing and due to his mother's early death, he had to help raise his siblings and began working at a young age.

He worked primarily as a truck driver, a career he heartily enjoyed. He also enjoyed deer processing. He served his community as a Volunteer Fireman at the Hilltop Fire Department.

He married Esta Strickland on December 21, 1967, and they made their home in West Virginia and Michigan before moving to Henderson in 1976. He and Esta shared a beautiful life together for 59 years.

Outside of trucking, he enjoyed driving farm equipment and driving around checking on crops.

A devoted husband and father, above all else, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, for whom he will always be a legend. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife Esta Willis; a daughter Gator Jones (Glen), a bonus daughter Debbie Mainord all of Henderson; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; five brothers Carl Willis of Bolivar, Greg Willis of WV; Jason Willis and Larry Willis both of GA, and Jeff Willis of Henderson; and three sisters Kathy Willis and Shirley Dorsey both of WV and Glenna Hayes of VA.

He was preceded in death by three sons Estell "Gus" Willis, Walter "Legs" Willis and Bert "Spud" Willis; a grandchild, and brothers Randy, David, and Ray Willis and Bernard Neff.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, June 22, 2026, at Shackelford Funeral Directors Crook Avenue Chapel with burial to follow at New Friendship Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue Chapel on Sunday, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.