Heaven gained a beautiful, kind, loving, yet tired soul. James “J.B.” Willis found rest in the arms of Jesus on January 30, 2025. He struggled for years with various health issues. His body was tired and is now at peace. No more pain and no more sorrow. He was born on February 21, 1944, to Jay Willis and Myrtle Smith Craig.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jackie Lee Willis; two aunts, Inez and Francis; and two uncles, Charles and Andrew.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sylvia Willis; two sons, Michael and Jeremy Willis; two grandchildren, Heather Griffin (Matt) and Jonathon Willis; twelve great grandchildren, Victoria (Dawson), Keegan, Sebastain, Abraham, Derrick, Eloise, Paige, Treyton (Sydney), Delilha, Chayson, Leukken, and Mikenna; two great-great grandchildren, David and Ellie; brother, Scotty Willis (Susan); sister, Celia Duncan; three nieces, Dawn, Jennifer and Veronica; three nephews, Jeff, Dale and Cooper; two brothers-in-law, Kevin and Barry Harvey; and many loving friends. He also shared his love with his “daughter”, Tiffany James; very special friends, Samarie Pyrtle Mabe, Hunter Mullins; his UNO partner, Morgan Wood; and his breakfast buddy, Chris Comer.

J.B. served his nation, PROUDLY in the US Navy and experienced life in Antarctica for a few years. He was a loyal member of the Elks Lodge #0449 and enjoyed many activities there. J.B. loved his family, friends and dogs dearly. He was a giving man with a huge heart. He enjoyed working at Tyco, Inc for many years and retired in 2010. He also enjoyed photography and spent many days taking photos of landscapes and mountains. He loved bowling and his bowling friends at Countryside Lanes in Kernersville. He took pride in a1l he did, especially when he was doing for others. He enjoyed and loved his church family at Bethel Assembly of God and tried to help in many aspects. He was a loving husband, father and friend.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 5,2025 at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services Kernersville Chapel located at 213 W. Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC, 27284. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens located at 3250 High Point Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107. The family will greet friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Wednesday prior to the service in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Elks Lodge #0449, on behalf of the Veterans Committee, 2585 Griffith Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com