James H. Willis

James H. Willis went home to his Savior, surrounded by his family, Wednesday, March 14, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born November 8, 1929 in Galveston, Texas, and moved to Manatee County, Florida in 1930

At the age of 16, Jimmy's best friend, Earl Council, introduced him to Jesus Christ, and he became a child of God. He attended Prospect and Palm View Schools, graduating from Palmetto High in 1947. He was a farmer until the late 1970's, when he and his wife Linda opened Linda's Nursery. He "retired" in 2001, but no one ever told him that. He enjoyed several years of traveling and visiting as many missionaries as possible after that.

More than anything, he loved the Lord, his family, his church, and his Palmetto High buddies.

He is survived by Linda, his loving wife of 46 years, by his daughter and son-in-law Liz and Jon Dillon of Springdale, Arkansas, and grandchildren Joshua, Amanda and Julianne, by his daughter and son-in-law Jody and Bart Riley of Franklin, Tennessee, and grandchildren Ben and Rachel (Johnson), and by his son and daughter-in-law Jim and Kaye Oakley of Ellenton, Florida, and grandchildren Jaime (Deese), Darcy (Reecher) and Kyle. He also had two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Saturday, March 17, 10 am at Bible Baptist Church in Bradenton, followed by a service at 11 am, Pastor Mark Campbell officiating. Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LifeSpring Baptist Church, Mission Team 2012, PO Box 1243, Lowell, AR 72745.