Ernest "Bussy" Lee Willis

Ernest “Bussy” Lee Willis, 82, of Newport, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at Carteret Health Care.

His funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Monday, April 3, 2017 at Munden Funeral Home Chapel in Morehead City with Pastor Manley Rose, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park.

Ernest was a lifetime farmer. He owned and operated Willis Farms in Newport since 1955 until his retirement in 2010. Through his two sons Rodney and Alan, Willis Farms still remains a vital part of the community today. He also worked for Morehead Shipping Company for 25 years.

He is survived by three daughters, Wendy G. Willis, Cathy Campbell and husband Joey, and Janet Willis; two sons, Alan Willis and wife Cathy, and Rodney Willis and wife Terre; sister, Dolly Riggs and husband O’Neil and a special nephew, Pete Willis; 11 grandchildren, Scottie Tripp and wife Stacy, Jason Styron and wife Amber, Aimee Schaefer and husband Greg, Eric Willis, Jodie Fetter and husband Gary, Kelli Willis and husband Ray, Travis Willis, Kristin Willis and husband Andrew, Jonathan Campbell, Bobby Hunter, and Alana Plisko and fiancée Michael Guthrie; 12 great grandchildren, Samantha Tripp, Kara Styron, Hailey Styron, Layton Howey, Bentley Styron, Kylee Thomas, Peyton Schaefer, Liam Willis, Skylar Plisko, Hunter Plisko, Sonny Guthrie, and Michael Guthrie, Jr., and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Jean Durham Willis; parents, Ross and Goldie May Willis; three brothers, Bud Willis, Fernie Willis, Donald Willis; four sisters, Viola Williams, Jessie Garner, Geraldine Smith, Susie Willis; and one granddaughter, Amanda Willis.

The family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 pm Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Munden Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC .