Edward Wright Willis

Edward departed this earthly life on May 21, 2012 to begin enjoying life with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. He spent his final moments of life at Kansas City Hospice House surrounded by his wife and best friend Michelle, his daughter Pamela, and sisters-in-law Kyra Storms and Karla Lee. He had fought a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer and was a strong advocate for men overcoming their aversion to getting regular medical check-ups. He was instrumental in some friends discovering the disease early enough to save their lives. Edward was born in Houston, Mississippi on September 17, 1944, to the late Byrd Willis and Loraine Graham Willis. He was the fourth of five children. One of his favorite things to do as a young boy was going to movies. On Saturdays, he would fix enough popcorn to fill a brown grocery bag and race off to the local movie theatre. He would remain there often by himself watching the same movie for the entire day. As an adult, he loved old movies and spent many hours watching his favorite movie channel, Turner Classic Movies. As an avid sports fan, he enjoyed football, basketball, boxing, track and field, and golf. He had a life-long dream fulfilled in 1996 when he attended the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Edward lived with his family in Grenada, Mississippi until graduating from Carrie Dotson High School in 1962. While there, he was introduced to the author, Edgar Allen Poe, and his poem, “The Raven.” At his graduation ceremony, he was chosen to recite “The Raven” and received a standing ovation followed by many repeat recitations at other times. Following graduation, he entered Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education. The 60’s were turbulent years in this nation especially in the South and Ed and his family experienced many forms of racism. Ed participated in numerous freedom marches and was often subjected to being hosed by police, arrested, and jailed as a result of his fight for an end to segregation. Because of Edward’s deep work ethic, during summer breaks from college, he worked many jobs which some other students shunned. He worked in a slaughter house where he had to shoot the incoming cattle in the back of the head and strip their hide off. This was one of the hardest summer jobs and he would often have nightmares afterward. He worked on a pipeline where he not only had to endure the summer heat but he also had to fight off bees and snakes. He worked in a piano factory, picked cotton, and was even a golf caddie where he developed a love for the game. These types of jobs provided great incentive for him to get a good education. Edward moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1970 with his first wife, Callie B. Willis and their daughter, Pamela. Edward taught mathematics at Central High School until 1977 when he became part of the faculty at Olathe North High School in Olathe, Kansas. He later transferred to the new Olathe South High where he continued teaching mathematics and also coached football and basketball. When Ed walked the halls between classes, there was no goofing off. If a teacher in another class had a disciplinary problem, they would often call Edward to settle the disagreement. The students respected him but they also liked him. Many of his former students still send him cards and pictures of their families and keep him informed of current happenings in their lives. Edward retired in May 2009 after a total of 44 years in the teaching profession. He and his wife, Michelle, loved cruising, traveling throughout the United States, and spending time together enjoying the simple things of life. Edward accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at the First New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Grenada, Mississippi. In 1991, he recommitted his life to Christ and became a member of Grandview Assembly of God in Grandview, Missouri where he served on the Church Board for several years. He had a beautiful baritone voice and put it to use in the church choir. God called Edward and Michelle to start Water Walkers Ministries, Inc. in 2005. Although they enjoyed working together in this ministry, they both realized that God was calling them to be pastors. Until the Fall of 2011, they were working together to fulfill this charge when Ed could no longer continue in this endeavor. Edward leaves behind his devoted wife Michelle; a daughter Pamela Redmond (Jan); a son Darren Chism (Blondell); stepchildren Marceau Williams (Ramona), Sonya Davenport (Shawn), Yrana Avery (Basil); a sister Louise Denton-Jones; brothers Louis Willis, Sam Willis, Rayford Willis; thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandson. He is also leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. followed by funeral services at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at the Grandview Assembly of God, 12400 Grandview Road, Grandview, Missouri 64030. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.