Grady Franklin Willis

Grady Franklin Willis, 85, of Broad Creek, passed away Tuesday, June 25­, 2019, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House, with his loved ones by his side.

His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Soundview Original Free Will Baptist Church in Newport, officiated by Rev. Dr. Robert Langley. Interment will follow at Broad Creek Community Cemetery.

Grady was born in the Broad Creek area of Carteret County on December 21, 1933, the only child of the late Franklin and Madeline Willis. He lived his entire life in Carteret County and was the founder and longtime owner of the Town and Country Food Store until he retired in the late 1990’s.

Grady was a successful businessman and was fiercely independent. Grady loved the Lord and his church, fishing in Bogue Sound, baseball, anything Tar Heels, and working in his yard. Most importantly, was his deep love of family.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 37 years, Allie Shepherd Willis of the home; daughters, Wendy Dale Willis of Wilmington and Lisa Willis Baker and husband Gilbert Ray Baker of Newport; step-children, James “Andy” Whitfield and wife Monique of Newport and Wanda Whitfield Bennett and husband Tommy of Morehead City; his beloved grandchildren, Tia Dale Edgar and husband Tom of Wilmington, Nicholas “Tiger” Eady and wife Rebecca of Wilmington and Kenzie Madeline Elyse Taylor and husband Ryan of Charleston, SC, Katherine “Denise” Godwin and husband David of New Bern, Gilbert “Ray” Baker, Jr. and wife Shawnna of New Bern; great-grandchildren, Hayden Allen Edgar and Bryce Edgar, both of Wilmington, Teylor Lee Godwin, Brian Matthew Godwin, Jared Matthew Baker, all of New Bern; and numerous bonus grandchildren and bonus great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Soundview Original Free Will Baptist Church in Newport.

Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made in memory of Grady Willis to the Crystal Coast Hospice House at P.O. Box 640, Newport, NC 28570 or to the Soundview Original Free Will Baptist Church at 200 Williams Ridge Rd., Newport, NC 28570.

The whole family, along with his wife Allie, would like to thank everyone at the Crystal Coast Hospice House for all their love, kindness, support, and care they gave her Husband, their Daddy and Daddo. Also, they would love to thank everyone in the Wooded Acres neighborhood, friends and NC Baptists Men’s Association who have helped Grady and Allie.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.