Lt. Col. James C. Willis was born October 2, 1965 in Fresno, California. He graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno, and then from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Electrical Engineering. James found his home and heart in New Mexico, working for many years there before realizing a lifelong dream of serving his country in the Armed Services. He joined the New Mexico National Guard, later transferring to the US Air Force. He steadily moved up the ranks, demonstrating the personal and professional talents that made him so dependable, respected, and well-loved in every unit he served. He was in the 64th Civil Support Team for many years, and finally was made Commander of the 210th REDHORSE squadron at Kirtland AFB, a unit he led to the Middle East on deployment until his untimely death on June 26th, 2021. He is survived by his dear mother, Shirley M. Willis; sisters, Carol Willis, Nancy Cameron and husband Shawn, and Sarah Fowler and husband Zach; brother, John Willis and wife Starla; nephews, Joshua Willis and wife Karen, Daniel and Michael Willis, and William and Luke Fowler; cousins, Mark Cady, Jann Cady, Beth Burghart, David Cady, and Jeff Cady; aunt, Joyce Cady, sister of his mother, and many others from an extended family. He is also survived by lifelong friend Steve Thurman and wife Lisa, and a large and devoted military family of colleagues that will miss him dearly and will honor his memory always.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 6, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on James’ obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/lt-col-james-clarke-willis. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Thursday, August 5, 2021 to pay their respects and to sign the register book. Interment will be held at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:00 p. m. on Friday, August 6, 2021.