William Donald “Donnie” Willis, 71, of Tifton died Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Josh Campbell officiating. Mr. Willis will be laid to rest at Wayside Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Tifton with Rev. Jimmy Cargle officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals and from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, until the hour of the service.
Steven Williford, Don Tawzer, Andrew Knight, Wayne Griner, Larry Smith and Billy Wayne Franklin, Jr. will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Glynn Tawzer, Greg Hill, GJ Harrell, Harmon Tawzer, Joe Tawzer and Ricky Kinard.
Born August 28, 1951, in Tift County, Mr. Willis was the son of the late Clifford Herbert Willis and Lillian Louise Spicer Willis. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Dawn Lee Willis; two brothers, James Thurman Willis and Clifford Vachel Willis; and one sister, Marie Tawzer. Before retiring, he was the Service Manager at Conger Gas Company in Tifton for 25 years. He was a member of Wayside Missionary Baptist Church in Tifton, where he served as a deacon for 32 years and also served as a Sunday School teacher, secretary and song leader. He was also a member of the Gideons.
Mr. Willis is survived by his children, and their spouses, William David and Vickie Willis, Robert DeWayne Willis and Fredda Dawn and Shane Fulford; one sister, Bernice Sullivan; his grandchildren and their spouses, Alex Fulford, Kaydence Fulford, Adam and Heather Suggs and Amanda and Michael Fletcher; and his great-grandchildren, Aiden, Abigail and Grace Suggs.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial gifts may be made to Wayside Missionary Baptist Church, 520 Georgia Highway 125 South #9088, Tifton, GA 31794 or Gideons International, Tifton Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 7051, Tifton, GA 317