Willis James Watkins, was born June 10, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, the third child and youngest son of Julia Bell Watkins St. Clair, and Ned Jenkins. He was lovingly nurtured to be a great man by his dear grandmother Alice Watkins whose ancestry traces to the Tikar People of Cameroon, Africa. She migrated from Kentucky where her husband was a horse trainer.
After graduating from Northeastern High School with varsity letters in football and track and band member, he attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Leadership. During his time at Wayne State, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Upsilon Chapter. A lifelong learner, Willis was later conferred a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University.
Willis was an outstanding trumpet player known amongst Detroit musicians as “Dizzo”, playing with many bands; paying his undergraduate tuition with his earnings. He continued honing his craft throughout his life providing lessons to aspiring trumpet players and as a member of the Lansing Concert Band, Meridian Community Band, Capital City Brass Band, and the Capital Brass Quintet also known as “Raw Brass”.
Willis was a brilliant, worldly astute, wise and compassionate man who was a beloved mentor, loyal friend and steady family patriarch. He enjoyed many different activities; a voracious reader of global history, politics and current events, exercising, and especially swimming; which was perfect for managing several City of Detroit Recreation Centers early in his career. He later joined the State of Michigan transforming and revitalizing the Michigan State Fair as the Assistant General Manager (1979-1987); advancing to Director of Administration, controlling business units across multiple state departments. He eventually moved to Lansing, Michigan where he met his sweet and loving wife Berta Mendoza.
Berta and Willis loved each other dearly, traveling the world together as tourists and visiting cherished family and friends, near and far. They had a warm, welcoming and caring home, offering respite to those in need. They shared the joy of avidly attending Michigan State University home and away football and basketball games, and other campus events.
Willis was superbly fit, looking decades younger than his years. He lived his life reflecting the Spirit of Jesus. Willis passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from post-surgery complications.
He was the devoted husband of wife Berta; doting father of daughter Yvette (Andrea) Walters and the brother of Truvella Flake and Claude Watkins (deceased). He will be missed by sisters-in-law Maria (Thomas) Vines and Rose (Robert) Barksdale; brothers-in-law AJ (Mary) Mendoza and Henry Mendoza; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel.
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