Linda Alice Willis

Linda Alice Gullett Willis entered the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. While we grieve her absence here, we rejoice knowing she is whole, healed, and celebrating eternal life with the Lord she faithfully loved and served throughout her life. Linda, was raised north of Palmetto in Manatee County, Florida, where she was the beloved youngest of six children: Jean, Jan, Gettis, Raffie, and Daphne. She was born to Albert and Fannie (Albritton) Gullett, whose love and values helped shape the gracious and faithful woman she became.

She was married to the love of her life, Jim Willis, for 46 wonderful years. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and adventure.

After an early career in banking, Linda and Jim founded Linda’s Nursery in Palmetto, Florida, where they built a reputation rooted in both quality and kindness. Customers and friends alike were drawn not only to the beauty she cultivated, but also to the warmth and grace she showed to everyone she met.

In their retirement years, Linda and Jim traveled all over the world, enjoying 25 cruises and many meaningful trips visiting Christian missionaries before Jim’s passing in 2012.

Linda was a faithful follower of Christ, a loving wife, the sweetest mother, a generous friend, a kind sister, a doting grandmother, and a delightful great-grandmother. She was truly beautiful inside and out. Linda especially loved flowers and had a remarkable gift for growing stunning plants.

For the past six years, Linda made her home in Richmond, Virginia, living with her daughter and family and remaining a cherished presence in their daily lives.

Linda leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Liz and Jon Dillon; her grandchildren, Josh (Rose), Amanda (Nathan Bonilla), and Julianne (Grant Chlystun); and her precious great-granddaughter, Rayna Bonilla. She is also survived by Jim’s daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Bart Riley; grandchildren Ben and Lauren Riley, Rachel and Mark Johnson, Jaime and Greg Deese, Darcey and Aaron Reecher, and Kyle Oakley; along with great-grandchildren Margo and Beckett Riley, Owen and Miles Johnson, Josh and Lydia Deese, and Jacob Reecher.

Linda’s life was a testimony to faith, kindness, beauty, and love. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered until the day her family sees her again.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at 10am, followed by a service to honor Linda at 11am, with internment immediately after.