Joe Lewis Willis

SERVICES: FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 11:00 A.M. MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPELVISITATION: FRIDAY, MAY 13, 20169:00 A.M. UNTIL SERVICE TIMEINTERMENT: CAROLINA CEMETERY(DOWDVILLE COMMUNITY)OFFICIATING: REV. PERRY MCCALL Mr. Joe Lewis Willis, 84, of Philadelphia, died Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at his home.He was a native of the Longino community in Neshoba County.  He graduated from Philadelphia High School in 1949, where he excelled playing basketball.  He served in the U.S. Navy for four years and then returned to earn his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University.  He retired from U.S. Motors where he worked for 35 years.  Mr. Willis was a member and deacon of Carolina Presbyterian Church.  He loved to farm, fish, hunt and spend time with his family and dogs.  He was also known as a good cook on his grill. Survivors include his wife of almost 60 years, Mary Lewis Willis of Philadelphia; sons, Dr. Walt Willis and his wife, Allison of Philadelphia and Glen Willis and his wife, Amy of Philadelphia; daughter, Jenny Criddle and her husband, Barry of Tupelo; grandchildren, Joseph Willis of Birmingham, AL, Caroline Willis of Philadelphia and John Ethan Criddle of Tupelo; step-grandchildren, Justin Bates of Nanih Waiya and Victoria Burton of Cleveland; brother, John Roland Willis and his wife, Jo Marilyn of Shreveport, LA; niece, Joni Mulkey; and nephews, Dr. Greg Willis and Jay Bowman. Mr. Willis was preceded in death by his parents, John Lee and Eula Celeste Willis. Pallbearers are Chris Burt, Ethan Criddle, Willie Horne, Victor Ramirez, Mitchell Williams, Joseph Willis and Dr. Walt Willis. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Nicholson, James Chaney and Billy Heath.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Carolina Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 9, Madden, MS 39109.