Rymer Willis

Rymer Willis, a resident of Dothan, died Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center following an extended illness. He was 81. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Byrd Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gillis Crenshaw and Dr. John Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Byrd Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday. Flowers are being accepted or memorials may be made to Piney Grove United Methodist Church, 21 Piney Grove Road, Dothan, AL, 36301. Mr. Willis was born September 5, 1926 in Dale County, Alabama and lived the early years of his life there. He was a graduate of Dale County High School in Ozark. He was a veteran of World War II having served as a Staff Sergeant in the U. S. Army. Mr. Willis was an insurance agent for over forty years prior to his retirement with American General in 1987 and resided in Dothan for fifty years. He was a member of Piney Grove United Methodist Church in Rehobeth and had been active in numerous activities of the church prior to his illness. Mr. Lewis is predeceased by his parents, James and Bertha Paschal Willis; four brothers, Pearson Willis, J. B. Willis, Pruitt Willis and J. E. Willis; three sisters, Edna Chancey, Elizabeth Byrd and Iva Griggs. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Virginia Lewis Willis of Dothan; a son, R. Steven Willis of Wicksburg; a daughter and son-in-law Karen and Pete Miller of Lincoln; a grandson, Chris Miller of Dothan; a brother, James Willis of Montgomery; two sisters, Louise Chancey of Ozark and Peggy Lewis of Montgomery. Serving as active pallbearers will be Buddy Chancey, Chris Miller, Billy Miller, George Medley, James Chancey, Don Lewis and Jay Willis.