William Frederick Willis
January 6, 1934 — December 20, 2017
William Frederick Willis (Papa), 83, of Harkers Island, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at his home.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Harkers Island Pentecostal Holiness Church, officiated by Reverend Dell Murphy and Anthony Nelson. Interment will follow at Vergie Mae Cemetery on Harkers Island.
He is survived by the love of his life Almeta (Onnie) Dawn Willis his wife of 65 years. Born and raised on Harkers Island to his parents David John Willis and Mahaley Willis along with his siblings Laura Marie Fulcher, Molly Louise Springle and Johnny Wayne Willis.
Frederick was a craftsman by trade and commercial fisherman at heart. For more than 50 years he and Almeta worked in the water side by side, enjoying every minute of it. He built boats, playhouses and swings for his grand and great-grandchildren. As a young man he loved racing cars, boats and anything that had wheels.
On November 1st, 1954, Almeta gave birth to their only son William Paul Willis, who would grow up to be Frederick’s right-hand man. You would always see them tinkering on cars, trucks and boats. Frederick and Almeta’s family grew from 1 son to a daughter-in-law, Judy Willis, grandchildren, Stephanie Elaine Willis Guthrie, Timothy Wayne Guthrie, Amanda Dawn Willis Williams, Brian Scott Williams; great-grandchildren, Shelby Elaine Williams, Taylor Breann Williams, William Michael Guthrie, Sarah Noel Williams; great-great-grandson, Jacob Andrew Williams; and a host of family and friends.
In February of 1970, after almost losing their son to a terrible car accident, Frederick and Almeta gave their hearts to the Lord. He was a faithful member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church on Harkers Island for more than 47 years, where he was a Sunday school teacher, Deacon and friend to all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David John Willis and Mahaley Willis; son, William Paul Willis; sisters, Laura Marie Fulcher, Molly Louise Springle; brother, Johnny Wayne Willis; grandchild, Stephanie Elaine Guthrie.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017 at Harkers Island Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.