Albert G. Willis, III

Skip Willis (Albert G. Willis, III) passed away peacefully on June 10 at home in Denver, CO. He was born on June 29, 1944 and grew up in Hampton, VA, graduated from Hampton High School then University of Virginia with a degree in English. He moved to Washington, D.C., and started Lanier Glass Company, where he produced custom stained glass art and taught at the Smithsonian.

He moved to Charlottesville, VA in 1976, where he continued his successful glass art business at McGuffey Art Center, then moved to his own studio in 1991 where he added a neon art enterprise. In addition, he hand built custom small boats and canoes. Skip’s many interests included news, science, science fiction, historical novels especially about seafaring, hiking, contra dancing and music from the big band era and classical rock and roll. He is survived by his beloved, Madeleine Kane of Denver, his brothers, Kent Willis (Sheila Crowley) of Arlington, VA, and Ross Willis (Bobbie Niederlehner) of Blacksburg, VA, niece Robin Willis of Blacksburg, nephew Scott Willis of Charlottesville, his aunt, Helen Jennings, of Virginia Beach, VA, his stepmother, Betty Willis, of Seattle, WA and many cousins and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society.

An open house celebration of Skip’s life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 1 PM - 5PM at 1345 Birch Street, Denver,. An open house celebration of Skip’s life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013 from 1 PM - 5PM with tributes to Skip at 3 PM at 215 Avon Street, Charlottesville, VA. CO.