Birth date: Apr 29, 1968 Death date: Oct 9, 2025
James Derrell Willis Jr., age 57, of Meridian, Mississippi, passed away in the arms of his loving wife, Samantha, on October 9, 2025, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, after a long illness. B Read Obituary
Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Mr. James Willis.
Best Memories I have of my time in the Navy, was being stationed onboard USS Independence CV-62. Willis was MARDET. He was given a hard position of DCPO & 3M Coord. We ended up becoming great friends onboard. A couple young know it alls. Those late nights he's wake me up because he needed this or that for their berthing. Me talking trash, ending up on the deck looking up at him, after putting me down there. Me, telling him he was lucky I was tired, otherwised I'd...He's just laugh. My stories Willis is most of them. RIP Brother.
To Samantha, Dominique and the rest of the siblings we are sending you our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers.
Love you alway,
Aunt Vera and Uncle George Willis
James would come see me at my shop. Sam and him. For me, he was always a breath of fresh air. When you work in retail, you have to put up with some people's B.S. With james and Sam, I could always be myself. James and I shared a lot of ideas that were very similar. We both loved this country very much and are sad at what is happening to it. Anyways, i will miss our conversations. The candour and the openness of them was so freeing. I will miss him. See you later brother.
Willis was the best Lieutenant I’ve ever had. He was also a close friend, and I will always have the memories of our friendship and his leadership. I hoped to see you again and maybe go fishing where ever we may be. Til we meet again
My love, I miss you so. I know you're here in spirit, and I wish we could have had many more years together. The 11 we had were the best years many people want, but you were able to provide for me and asking nothing in return. Thank you for your love, the memories, the laughter.. and so much more. The world has become darker without you here spreading your light and helping those along the way. Dearest, I love and miss you, Sam
