Obituary for James Kirby Willis
Willis, James Kirby, 87, of Irvington, Va, died September 24, 2019.
He was born February 22, 1932 in Clio, S.C. son of the late Lee and Laurin Willis. He graduated from Clemson College, now Clemson University, and remained a loyal Tiger fan. In high school he was introduced to the Future Farmers of America that led to his introduction to the world of advertising, his lifelong career. From his beginning as a salesman for the FFA Magazine, he moved on to positions at N.W. Ayer Advertising Company, N.Y.C. and Miller Morton Company in Richmond, VA. These experiences there led him to start his own company, Willis, Felton of Richmond.
He and his wife Marjory retired to Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington, VA in 2007.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years Marjory; daughter, Mary Lillian Willis; sons, James K., Jr, and Laurin Carter all of Midlothian and six grandsons. A memorial service will be scheduled for a future date. Memorial gifts may be made to Employee’s Christmas Fund, RW-C, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480 or to the Salisbury Presbyterian Church Foundation, 13621 W. Salisbury Drive, Midlothian, VA 23113.
He was born February 22, 1932 in Clio, S.C. son of the late Lee and Laurin Willis. He graduated from Clemson College, now Clemson University, and remained a loyal Tiger fan. In high school he was introduced to the Future Farmers of America that led to his introduction to the world of advertising, his lifelong career. From his beginning as a salesman for the FFA Magazine, he moved on to positions at N.W. Ayer Advertising Company, N.Y.C. and Miller Morton Company in Richmond, VA. These experiences there led him to start his own company, Willis, Felton of Richmond.
He and his wife Marjory retired to Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington, VA in 2007.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years Marjory; daughter, Mary Lillian Willis; sons, James K., Jr, and Laurin Carter all of Midlothian and six grandsons. A memorial service will be scheduled for a future date. Memorial gifts may be made to Employee’s Christmas Fund, RW-C, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480 or to the Salisbury Presbyterian Church Foundation, 13621 W. Salisbury Drive, Midlothian, VA 23113.