SFC William Howard "Bill" Willis "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered in the heart of man ,the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9. SFC William Howard "Bill" Willis Sr, 77, of Dryden departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior on the morning of March 28th 2016 at his home surrounded by his wife and children. He was met by Jesus at the river Jordan where there was a glad reunion with shouting as he reunited with his loved ones. He was born on March 26th, 1939 in Blackwater, VA to Ollie and Ekel Willis. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Admant Baptist Church of Stone Creek. Bill was always an active member of the Dryden community and Lee County. He served his community in various ways and was a founding member of the Dryden volunteer fire department and the Dryden community development committee. He loved to farm, raise cattle, and found great joy in working the soil of the earth. He was a Past Master Mason belonging to Dryden Lodge #326 and served as the District Deputy Grand Master for the 50th Masonic District in 1996 and 1997. He was employed by the lee county school system where he worked as a bus driver for 13 years and later was elected to the lee county school board and served there for 10 years. Bill was a strong advocate for childrens education. He was a coal miner and mechanic for Caterpillar and General trucking. He was retired from the United States Army having served 9 years in the active army as an armored vehicle crewmember and tank commander and 13 years in the Virginia army national guard where he served as the truck master for the 1033rd transportation Battalion in Gate City Va. Bill was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He is preceded in death by his mother Ollie and father Ekel Willis, a sister Anna Mae Robinette, two brothers, Kenneth Joe Willis and Bradley Eugene Willis and one grandson Richard Ricky Eugene Ingram. He is survived by his Wife of 53 years Janice Sue Willis, 5 children, Susie Statzer and husband Jerry of Dryden (Rebecca Smith), Billy Willis and wife Tina of Dryden (Taylor, Shelsey, Hayley, Ethan, Alexandra, Carson), Sarah Robinette and husband Brian of Dryden (Siera, Payton, Baylee), Carrie Spivey and husband Jeff (Brandon, Jenna and Brooke) of Winston Salem, NC, Carla Ingram and husband Richard of Jonesville (Kellie, Zachery, Greyson). Brother Dewey Willis of Dryden, Brother Roy Willis of Charleston, South Carolina and two sisters Sue Ella Gunn and Lois Warehime of Dryden. He is also survived by three great grandchildren Gracelyn (Shelsey and fianc Josh Moore), Gavin (Hayley and husband Jeremy Peake) and Adelaide (Siera Robinette and fianc Steven Hackler). Bill is also survived by Michael Paul Willis and several other much loved nieces and nephews. He was also blessed in life to have many close and special friends. A funeral service will be held at 8:00 PM Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Province Funeral Home Sanctuary in Pennington Gap, VA with Jim Clem and Paul Davis, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM Thursday until the time of the service. A graveside service will be at 11:00 AM Friday at the Fannon Cemetery in Blackwater, VA. Masonic Rites will be administered by members of the 50th Masonic District and Military Rites will be Conducted by local VFW Post and the Army National Guard Honors Team. Pallbearers will be Mike Statzer, Danny McDonough, David Myers, Payton Robinette, Taylor Willis and Randal "Butterbean" Sturgill. Honorary Pallbearers are Richard Ingram and Don Clasby. Memorials and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.provincefuneralhome.com We are located at 42098 E. Morgan Ave. Pennington Gap, VA 24277. Phone 276-546-2456. Province Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family of SFC William Howard "Bill" Willis. Service Information Visitation Thursday March 31, 2016 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Province Pennington Gap Funeral Home 42098 East Morgan Ave Pennington Gap, VA 24277 Funeral Service Thursday March 31, 2016 8:00 PM Province Pennington Gap Funeral Home 42098 East Morgan Ave Pennington Gap, VA 24277 Graveside Service Friday April 1, 2016 11:00 AM Fannon Cemetery 686 Dr Andrew Jackson Osborne Hwy Blackwater, VA 24211