Rev. Dr. Edwin Leon Willis, 69, passed away at his home on October 29, 2021, in Madison, Fla. Rev. Dr. Willis was born October 1, 1952, in Madison, Fla. to Linton Leon Willis and Ila Eunice Greene Willis. He was a 1970 graduate of Madison High School where he was a member of the FFA and the Beta Club. Following high school, he attended North Florida Junior College where he earned an A.A. degree. He then attended the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. He went on to earn an MBA from Valdosta State College, a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Troy University, and a Doctorate of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He also earned his Certificate for Certified Public Accounting from the state of Georgia. He was of the Methodist faith and an Ordained Full Elder Member of the South Georgia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Willis served faithfully over churches and charges of the South Georgia United Methodist Conference for more than 30 years. He was a colonel in the Jaycees in Albany, Ga. and a member of the Lions Club in Donalsonville, Ga. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing and listening to Bluegrass, Gospel, and Country music. He played the guitar, piano, mandolin, and steel guitar, and was the founder of the Madison Chapter of the Song Farmers of Florida. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Linton and Ila Willis; an aunt, Cleo Willis; and his father-in- law, Marshall Jordan.
He is survived by: his wife of 35 years, Lu Ann Jordan Willis; three sons, David Jordan Willis, of Savannah, Ga., Daniel Tate Willis, of Bluffton, SC, and Benjamin Brady Willis, and wife Kaylie, of Madison, Fla.; 2 sisters, Linda Ruth Turner, and husband Leroy, of Dothan, Ala., and Amelia Ann Mulkey, and husband Boss, of Madison, Fla.; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at Burns Funeral Home of Madison. Rev. James L. Johnson officiated. Interment followed in Pine Grove Baptist Cemetery. All arrangements are under the care of Burns Funeral Home of Madison. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in his honor.
Friends may send condolences to the family at
www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.
