Bradley Willis

Bradley Scott Willis, 68, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, in the home he shared with his youngest brother, Bruce. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 12, 1958, to William “Bill” and Phyllis Willis, Brad moved with his family to Phoenix in early 1960, laying down deep roots in the Valley for the rest of his life.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Brad served on active duty in Korea before receiving an honorable discharge in the early 1980s. He brought that same sense of steady discipline and loyalty to his civilian career, dedicating over thirty years to electronics distribution sales with the same California firm. As the head of their Phoenix facility, Brad’s work ethic and leadership played a pivotal role in the company's success.

For Brad, family was the cornerstone of everything. He was a constant, reassuring presence—the quiet peacekeeper among his siblings, always ready to step in and help without a single word of complaint. He was a devoted father to four cherished daughters: twins Lindsay and Nicole (from his first marriage to Susan), and Hannah and Erin (from his second marriage to Rose). He delighted in his role as "Grandpa" to Maelin and Oliver (children of Nicole and Eric Schmidt) and Arthur (son of Lindsay and Bryce Brown). Brad is survived by his brothers, Craig, Todd, and Bruce, and is reunited in rest with his beloved sister, Sharyl Bales, and his parents.

Brad expressed his love through steady action and quiet devotion. He could always be found in his mother’s kitchen on holidays, carving the ham or quietly taking care of the dishes, and he honored her with weekly visits throughout her life. He took great pride in his home, keeping his pool pristine and decorating enthusiastically for every holiday. Inheriting his father’s passion for fireworks, Brad created some of his fondest memories watching the night sky light up alongside his daughters.

When off the clock, Brad embraced the outdoors, enjoying camping, fishing, and cheering on his beloved University of Arizona Wildcats. He made friends effortlessly, whether chatting with neighbors or sharing long afternoons on the patio with his good friend Ron—usually with a cold Foster’s beer in hand.

Kind, unpretentious, and unwavering in his loyalty, Brad lived a life rooted in devotion to the people he cared for most. His ashes will be interred alongside his mother at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale.