Otis Marshall Willis Jr., 69, of Fleming, Ga passed away peacefully on June 19, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Annie Lou Willis, his son Shannon (Christina) Willis of Newville, PA and his daughter Terra (Dontay) Williams of Midway, Ga.  He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren Thomas Willis, Christopher Willis, Leia Williams, Randi Snyder, Isaac Snyder, 2 sisters Terri (James) McMillan of Savannah, Ga and Tammi (Keith) Cummings of West Melbourne, Fl.  Otis is preceded in death by his parents Otis Willis Sr. and Marjo Willis.

Otis was born on October 11, 1948 in Melbourne, Fl. He served in the United States Navy on the Roosevelt Aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War in the Mediterranean Sea from 1969-1972.  Otis and Lou met in the summer of 1970 while he was stationed at the Naval Air Station on Boca Chica Key and have been inseparable since.   They married on June 12, 1971 at St Mary's Catholic Church in Key West, Fl.

His fire service career began in Macon, Ga in 1978 when he went to work for the Georgia Forestry Commission as a wildland firefighter. He always had a heart of gold and would bring home every orphaned baby there was, instilling the love of animals early on for all of us.  He was elected Assistant Fire Chief of the new county fire station that opened in the neighborhood and started his journey in learning all he could about firefighting. In 1985 he moved to Liberty County, went to work for the Ft. Stewart Forestry Division as a federal employee and completed several fire training courses including becoming a state certified firefighter and field instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy.  His passion was in teaching  and over the many years he has taught, mentored and guided so many volunteers, youth and new comers to become qualified and dedicated firefighters in the state of Georgia.  He has worked and trained with all fire departments in Liberty and Bryan Co, was Chief of 4 departments, and even established new departments in areas of need.  In 2001 he retired from Ft. Stewart and went to work for Bryan County Fire Departments.  He rose through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Chief.  He retired in 2016 from Bryan County but of course went on to volunteer with Liberty County Fire Department, Station 12.

Both Otis and Lou have always been very active in the church. He enjoyed sharing his time, talents and knowledge with others especially the youth.  He knew young people are the way to a better future and invested whole-heartedly in them.  He was described by all who knew him as: a true hero, a great man, kindhearted, a great mentor and he always led by example.  He never stood for discrimination of any kind.  He always stood up for what was right no matter who he was standing up against and supported those afflicted to stand and fight tall and proud right with them.  He never let you give up no matter how hard or long the fight was and he showed his true fight all the way until he was called home.  He taught us that your character and integrity are a moral and ethical code that one lives by.   He will be missed by many but his integrity, strength, caring and loving support will be everlasting to those whose lives he has touched.

The family invites all Otis' friends to come and celebrate his life with them, and requests that instead of flowers, a donation be made in his name to St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church at 16491 Highway 144, Richmond Hill, GA 31324.

Services will be held Saturday, June 23 at 2:00pm at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church at 16491 Highway 144 Richmond Hill, GA 31324.  Please bring a picture of you and Otis to share with the family.