He was born at “Cloverdale”, the family home place in Elon, a community of Madison Heights, VA, to the late Buck and Lena Wills. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Buddy and Raymond Wills; two sisters, Alice Wills and Nell Keith; and his son, Michael “Mike” Scott Wills.
Malcom worked on the farm with his father, attended Elon Elementary and graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1946. He went to work for N & W and Southern Railroad; served in the Army from January 1951 to November 1952 and was assigned to the 40th Infantry Division Medium Tank Company during the Korean Conflict; after returning home he went back to work for the railroad until 1958. From there, he went on to work at Babcock and Wilcox and retired as the manager of Tool & Dye in 1990.
Malcolm lived his life in the house he built on Rt. 130 next to “Cloverdale”. An avid gardener, he enjoyed canning and sharing vegetables with family and friends. He liked travel, renovating the homeplace and quiet living. As an active member of the Elon community and Elon Presbyterian Church, he often volunteered assistance wherever needed and cleared the snow with his tractor. He took great joy in the views of the surrounding farmland, forests and mountains as he sat on his deck reflecting on the good old days, his family and the life they shared at “Cloverdale”.
Malcolm was known and loved by everyone. He was a great friend and a thoughtful listener, always ready to share a laugh and sometimes a little good-natured teasing.
Malcolm married Rachel 36 years ago on the lawn at Cloverdale. They both had two children: Mike and Sheila Wills and John Charlton and Yvonne Brashear. Together they enjoyed many years of happiness. He is survived by his beloved wife Rachel Wills; daughter, Sheila Michelle Wills; two stepchildren who he loved as his own; John Charlton (Lisa) and Yvonne Brashear; daughter-in-law Sharon Wills; grandchildren; Mary Michael Cantrell (Kendall); Cameron Scott Wills, Alex Charlton, Nicholas Charlton, Sabrina Foster (Josh); great grandchildren, Thomas, Wyatt and Harlee Jean Cantrell, Riley and Isaiah Foster; cousin Eleanor Campbell and her daughter Faye O'Brien; and very special friends, Jay and Cindy Turner.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Whitten Monelison Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. At 12:30 p.m., there will be a celebration of life followed by military honors provided by American Legion Post 16 at Malcom’s beloved church, Elon Presbyterian Church, 2290 Cedar Gate Rd, Madison Heights, VA 24572.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Elon Presbyterian Church, 2290 Cedar Gate Rd, Madison Heights, VA 24572 or Michael S. Wills Scholarship Fund at Culpeper Co. High School, 14240 Achievement Drive, Culpeper, VA 22701.
