Haywood Edward Willis

Haywood Edward Willis, 82, of Candler, died Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC A native of Highlands Co., Florida, Mr. Willis was a son of the late Willie Edward Willis and Bessie Russ Willis. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Julia Anne Crook Willis, on May 25, 2017, his grandson, Thomas Alexander Pena, sisters, Louise Willis and Carrie OSteen, and brothers, Marvin and Norman Willis. Mr. Willis was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church. He worked as a career development coordinator for the Haywood County School System. Surviving are his daughter, Sandra Marylynn and husband James Pena, and grandson Edward Robert Pena, all of Oak Ridge, NC; and a sister, Wilma Spradley. Graveside services for Mr. Willis will be held on Thursday, October 19 at 3:00 p.m. at Ridgeway Baptist Church Cemetery, Candler, with the Rev. Jackie Collins officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ridgeway Baptist Church, 525 Old US 19 & 23 Hwy, Candler, NC 28715. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.