Addison Gordon Willis, Jr. passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at his home in the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community. He was born October 12, 1921 to Addison Gordon Willis and Lucy Herndon Willis Willis in Culpeper County, Va.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Janet Hurt Willis, and his sisters, Mary Lucy Willis Bareford and Gene Cochran Willis.
He is survived by his children, Mary Bolling Gassman and her husband, Kenneth Gassman, Jr. of Richmond, Va., Addison Gordon Willis, III and his wife, Barbara Creighton Willis of Richmond, Va., Werter Hurt Willis and his wife, Janice Inskeep Willis of Charleston, S.C., and Janet Lucille Young and her husband, Brian Young of Blacksburg, Va., his grandchildren; Mary Hart Gassman Spivey, Elizabeth Gassman Cheron, and Mackenzie Gassman Weiss; Andrew Willis, Creighton Willis, and Sarah Willis Sullivan; Larkin Willis, Zachary Willis, and Hunter Willis; Brian Young, Gavin Young, Jansen Young, and Rebekah Young. In addition, he is survived by fourteen great-grandchildren.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He liked nothing better than catching up on the "going's on" of his family. He touched many with his sense of optimism and conviction of a brighter tomorrow. His fascination with the technological advancements of the day led him to become an innovator in his business endeavors and personal life, including internet classes for the residents of the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community. In 2001, he was named a "Culpeper Colonel" for his service to the County.
He attended VPI and the University of Richmond and established The Willis, Gordon, Garnett and Allied Families Scholarship there. He ran the family farm, Bel Pre, until 1954 when, along with several family members, he established Culpeper Stone Co. Inc., where he served as president until his death.
A strong supporter of his community, he served on numerous boards, including Culpeper Memorial Hospital, the Second National Bank, and the Museum of Culpeper History. He was a member of the Culpeper Rotary Club, the Culpeper County Republican Committee, a former member of the Lions Club, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a charter member of the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department and the Brandy Station Ruritan Club. He served on state and national organizations, including Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Virginia, Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Baptist Homes, Inc., Jacob's Ladder, Virginia Museum of Natural History, the National Crushed Stone Assoc., Virginia Crushed Stone Assoc., Virginia Manufacturers Assoc., and the Virginia Roadbuilders' Assoc. He served Culpeper Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Trustee.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 22, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Hwy., Culpeper Va. Funeral services will be on Monday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 S. West St., Culpeper, Va., with interment to follow at Culpeper Masonic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Fund of the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community, PO Box 191, Culpeper, VA 22701 or Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 S. West St. Culpeper, VA 22701.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
May 20, 2011
Darlene Breeden
Dear Werter, Janice and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Werter's dad. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Sincerely,
May 11, 2011
Mr. Willis was my employer for most of my adult life. I would like to express my condolences to the entire Willis family. I have many fond memories, especially conversations we had concerning the Redskins.
Gene Donald, Fredericksburg, VA
May 10, 2011
Tammy Williams
My thoughts and Prayers are with you all. God Bless. I only have happy memories of Mr. Willis during all the years that I worked at Culpeper Stone Company. Especially Mr. Willis and his love for "Chocolate".
Tammy Williams
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