OBITUARY
Rodney Lynn Willis
October 27, 1957 – January 17, 2021
Rodney Lynn Willis 63, of Lynchburg, passed away on Sunday evening, January 17, 2021 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born on October 27, 1957 in Lynchburg, VA, he was the son of the late Clay Ramsey Willis and Emma May Willis.
Rodney was a graduate of E.C. Glass High School and Lynchburg College. He was also a member of Fairview Christian Church.
He retired after 37 years of service from UPS. In fact, most of the Lynchburg community would know him best in his brown uniform. Rodney was known to many as one that never met a stranger and truly enjoyed speaking to everyone he met. He loved the friendships he built with his co-workers and members of the community during his career.
He acted as a devoted member of his family throughout his entire life. Rodney was not only a loving father, but a best friend to Zane and Chase. He also was a faithful son and caregiver to his parents for many years and loved them dearly. He had a true love and appreciation for competitive sports, which he enjoyed with his friends and family.
Rodney is survived by his two sons, Zane Thomas Clay Willis of Charlotte, NC and Chase Lynn Willis of Forest, VA; special friend and mother of Zane and Chase, Lisa Willis; Brother, Melvin Willis and wife Patti of Santa Maria, CA; niece Heather Anne Willis; his loved puppies, Chip and Max Willis, and other loving relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be conducted 11:00 am Monday, January 25, 2021 at Fort Hill Memorial Park with Pastor Ronnie Campbell officiating. Rodney will be available for viewing from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.
In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to relief organizations to support your local communities during this time of crisis.
To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittentimberlake.com.
Whitten Timberlake Chapel is serving the family, (434) 239-0331.
Services
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Open Visitation
Sunday, January 24, 2021
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Graveside Service
Monday, January 25, 2021
Memories
Rodney Lynn Willis
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYSharon Mobley
January 25, 2021
We send our sympathy and prayers for the family and the boys. Prayers of peace, comfort and strength.
Bobby A Roach and Family
Melvin & Patti Willis
January 24, 2021
Dearest Rodney,
We know you'd be with us today ... down on the river sharing oysters and berry cobbler, laughter and love ... if Heaven wasn't so far away! How Loved you are Dear Brother.
laura bradley
January 22, 2021
Always smiling and so friendly. I did not know his name but saw him all around Lynchburg, Last time I saw him I became concerned as he did not look well. Such a wonderful person and he will be missed. Blessings to his family.
Joesph Arrington
January 22, 2021
Rodney was a true. Person that always treated everyone as a friend he will be missed by all who knew him prayers to his family.Joesph and Diane Arrington
Lynne Spruce-Walker
January 22, 2021
Rodney, I haven't seen you in years, but you were ALWAYS the kindest, most gentle person I ever knew. You always had that shy smile and soft way about you. I can't imagine you being any other way, and I know your family cherishes that about you. Prayers for your family. Go rest high on that mountain. Lynne
Ricky Holbrook
January 22, 2021
RIP my brother. Save me a place on the bench next to you until we play our next ball game.
Martha Adams
January 22, 2021
I've known rodney since I was 5. We met at T C MILLER in the kindergarten. We shared alot of laughs. Whenever one of us had to pick a side for kickball,
Dodgeball,etc. We always chose each other.
We went from TCMILLER-E C GLASS
Then he was my ups driver.
You never saw him without that contagious smile.
Rodney will truly be missed but his remember will live on.
I was blessed to call him my friend
Gail Scott
January 21, 2021
I had the pleasure of going to high school and I worked with Rodney at UPS for 20 years!!
Such a great, loving and kind guy!! He will be missed by so many for sure!!
May the Lord send His peace that passes all understanding to comfort the family!!
Timothy Spencer
January 21, 2021
Rodney was my first supervisor at UPS. His smile and jovial attitude helped me through the first two weeks. He was always there to lend a helping hand! Praying for peace and strength during this time of loss.
Sharon Mobley
January 20, 2021
So Sorry for you loss- prayers for Peace, Comfort and Strength for the family. Bobby & Sharon Mobley
Richard Campbell
January 20, 2021
I met and worked with Rodney when he started his UPS career. I watched him make his way from a part timer loading and unloading packages until he became full time package car delivery driver. Rodney needed no supervision, he definitely had "brown blood"
His work ethic, contagious smile, and his stories will never be forgotten !!
Prayers lifted up for his family during this sad time. Rest in Peace , Rodney!!!
Rich Campbell
Jerald Garrett
January 20, 2021
Such a great friend and coworker. Always a smiling face everyday. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for the family.
J.D. & Pam Rothgeb
January 19, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with Zane, and Chase during this difficult time. Our U.P.S family was shocked to hear about his passing, and we all collectively mourn his passing, but we also celebrate his life. His boys and U.P.S. were his life. Rodney played a big part of me getting hired by U.P.S. in 1983. I will always be grateful for that my friend. We have been friends for 43 years. We had so many memorable trips and fun outings together over the years. Memories I will cherish until I get to join him again. Rodney was loved by everyone and had so many friends. He never met a stranger and was such a gentle, kind, soul that was so even keeled. I. never saw Rodney mad in 43 years. He laughed about everything and he had such an infectious laugh that was unique. His laughter was very contagious. You will be missed by many, R.I.P. my friend.
Donald Ferguson
January 19, 2021
Sending my condolences,Rodney was a good Friend I met while employed at UPS, Always enjoyed talking with him , Will be missed.
Mark Brown
January 19, 2021
My sincere condolences, and sympathy. I worked at Ups with Rodney for many years. I always enjoyed conversation with him, and had many laughs, as we both loved talking about the game of baseball. I use to call him “Hot Rod” all the time, and he would walk in smiling saying in a loud voice, Brown what’s going on. He will truly be missed. Prayers to the family. R.I.P my friend, until we meet again, God Bless
Jay Kerr
January 19, 2021
So sorry to hear about Rodney I worked with him @ UPS He was my first supervisor on the local sort and was always a very positive and upbeat person really great to be around always a great friend and coworker will be missed by all prayers for the family
Larry Spraker
January 19, 2021
There is not enough time or total words to express our grief in the passing of Rodney. He was way more than a friend of Faye and I, he was family. You always had fun with him, on vac,football games,Friday night steak night or anywhere, memories we will never forget. Above all he was a great father to his sons!!! We will always remember him and the kindness he was to us. The whole family in our hearts and prayer, may god bless you, he was the best!!
Johnnie West
January 19, 2021
Worked with Rodney for 30 years. Rodney was a great friend and co-worker. He would do anything for you. Rodney could always make you laugh at anything. He will be missed. Praying for Zane and Chase and family.
Mike Farlow
January 19, 2021
Larger than life personality always had a funny story to tell will be missed by the whole ups community fly high rod
Dave Adams
January 19, 2021
Worked with Rod over 30 years and never a cross word or problem but lots of laughs and kindness. Always ready to lend a hand or share a fun story.
Alfred Smith
January 19, 2021
I am sorry for your loss i worked with Rodney he was a wonderful person and a great friend i will always remember all the great times we had he will be missed
Barbara Large
January 19, 2021
Very sorry to hear about Rodney’s passing. Prayers to the family.
Ginger Rosser
January 19, 2021
I'm so very sorry for your loss!
I worked with Rodney at UPS. He was a very special, sweet guy! We both started off on the night shift! He would hang around after his job was finished and watch my son ,who the babysitter sometimes dropped off on her way to a ballgame, while I finished my work !! I still have the house warming gifts Rodney gave me. I will miss him too! Take care and know I am praying for you.