Glen Roy Willis

Glen Roy Willis, 96, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Glen Roy Willis was hillbilly through and through.  Born in 1927, in Smithburg, Doddridge County, WV, he lived through the Great Depression, but he would tell you his childhood never produced feelings of inadequacy. “We never knew we were poor,” he always said. He’s even written and published a book celebrating that childhood: The Time of My Life and the Life of My Times. Glen was a superior student as he attended Smithburg Elementary (where as young as a first-grader, he could beat all the oldest kids in a foot race), Doddridge County High School (where he later returned as a teacher), and Salem College. He had enlisted in the Navy in WWII as soon as he graduated high school in 1945. Though the war ended while he was in boot camp, he was sent to serve in the Philippines. 

Hazel Bertel Williamson was his first wife, and together they built their burgeoning family of ten. His eight children grew to admire and enjoy their father, who often tap danced in the kitchen for them. From West Virginia, they immigrated to Akron for Glen to begin working as a draftsman-designer at Goodyear Aerospace. Glen and Hazel rooted their lives in the Manchester community, beginning as attendees of the Manchester EUB Church (later Manchester United Methodist and most recently New Franklin Global Church) and also becoming contributing members of the wider community. They were heavily involved in the schools and in community sports as most of their children participated in football, baseball, softball, track, or wrestling, and Glen served as commissioner of Manchester’s Little League Baseball. 

Glen loved and knew well how to garden and had his hands in the dirt in his free time and retirement. He often claimed Swiss chard was his favorite to grow, but many flowers were a close second for him. For a few years, he grew sorghum, and a big family event was its sticky harvest and transport to Amish country for milling into molasses. So too did his little apple orchard and the making of cider become another fun family work gathering. 

Glen enjoyed many trips across the U.S. and abroad with his second wife, Joyce Wade. They held each other dear for almost 20 years of marriage.

Glen loved a house full of people and doted on his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially when it came to standing in front of a griddle and cooking up pancakes for them! Everyone visiting from afar had to have a morning of Grandpa’s pancakes before heading home. They all, big and little, loved flocking to Grandpa’s. Even when it came to a time most recently that he couldn’t be serving or dancing in the kitchen, he loved to sit listening to the sounds of playing, talking, laughter, and going in and out. When everyone had gone home and someone would say to him, “Pretty quiet now, isn’t it, Dad,” he’d reply, “Yes, too quiet.” In those quieter times, writer that he was, he composed limericks about family (and about their imaginary friends). 

Of utmost importance to say here is that, just as prophet Daniel told King Belshazzar we must repeat that God our Creator and Sustainer held Glen’s breath in His hand and owned all His ways. He gave him grace to have this life on earth. Above all, Glen, loving the Bible, recognized that he needed a Savior and that the only savior is Christ, the Lord Jesus, who said to his people, "I go and prepare a place for you, and I’ll come to take you to that place so that you can be with Me." Glen was very much looking forward to being with Lord Jesus in that prepared place. Now Glen is truly home.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Sylvia (Bird) Willis, first wife, Hazel Willis, second wife, Joyce Willis, son, Jerry Willis, daughter, Linda Bennett, brothers, Fred Willis, Walter Willis, and sister, Mary Jane Phillips. He is survived by his sons, Brian Willis, Mike Willis, Kevin Willis; daughters, Sue Willis, Penny (Randy) Knox, Mira (Douglas) Ledden; grandchildren, Steven (Rachel) Willis, Mary Willis, Charles Willis, Sandy (Andy) McKinney, Jill (Rick) Clinard, John Ledden, Daniel (Stacy) Ledden, Hannah Ledden, Jessica Bee-Willis; great-grandchildren, Devon Willis, Patrick Willis, Jeremiah Willis, Helyn Willis, Sarah Willis, Sylvia Willis, Eli Clinard, Ella Clinard, Owen Clinard, Stella McKinney, Bennett McKinney, Alana Ledden; son-in-law, Bruce Bennett; and many other loving family and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 9, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at New Franklin Global Church, 5625 Manchester Road, New Franklin, Ohio 44319. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park following the Visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 pm, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at New Franklin Global Church, with Pastor Frank Woodrum officiating. 

Flowers are welcome, but memorials may also be made in his name to New Franklin Global Church, 5625 Manchester Road, New Franklin, Ohio 44319.