Willis G Rimmer

Born on November 23, 1935, in Mooresville, North Carolina, Willis was the oldest of three boys born to Mary Cashion Rimmer and Willis Glenn Rimmer, Sr.

He grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Central High School in 1954. He went on to graduate from Wake Forest University in 1959, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He remained a life-long fan of the Demon Deacons’ athletics teams, and he took particular pride in victories over their ACC rivals.

After college, Willis proudly served in the United States Army during the Berlin Crisis and was stationed at Fort Jackson, Fort Eustis, and Fort Bragg. In 1960 he met and married his beloved wife of 62 years, Ruth Belk Rimmer, and together they raised a family in Pulaski, Virginia, where Willis spent his professional career as a Bank Officer with Barclays American Credit.

Throughout his life Willis enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of golf. He was an excellent player, scoring several holes-in-one along the way. Most of all Willis treasured time with his family, especially family trips to the North and South Carolina beaches where he continued to swim and jump the waves into his 80’s. Being a “Carolina boy” at heart, in retirement he and Ruth moved back to the Charlotte area.

Willis always focused on the good he saw in everyone. He never met a stranger. He will be forever remembered as a dutiful son and brother, a devoted and faithful husband, and a loving and incredible father and grandfather. He was an extraordinarily kind and generous man. Through every high and every low, he stood by his family with unwavering support. He was a man of God, and he loved his church family.

Willis was preceded in death by his wife, and by his son, Terry Ralph Rimmer. He is survived by his two remaining children and their families: Julie Rimmer Applewhite, of Midlothian, VA, her husband Thomas Daniel Applewhite, and their children, Thomas Harding Applewhite and Talley Belk Applewhite; and Willis Glenn Rimmer III, of Monroe, NC, and his children, Elisabeth Ann Rimmer, her fiancé Christian Alexander Diaz, and Charlie Leah Rimmer; as well as great-grandchildren Leighton Noel Sherry and Alexander Cesar Diaz.

Additional survivors include many nieces and nephews, including Beth Rimmer, whose loving and devoted care brought great comfort to Willis in his final months, and her wife, MaryBeth Bobyarchick.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 11th at 10:30am at Mill Grove Church in the historic Chapel, 7311 Mill Grove Rd, Indian Trail, NC 28079.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital, 10648 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Willis’ church family and to his neighbors Cathy and Doug McClew for looking after Willis so kindly these last few years, and to the very compassionate staff at Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital in Pineville, where Willis was affectionately known as “adorable.”