Robert "Bob" Alton Willis

Robert Alton "Bob" Willis, 90, was born on October 8, 1934, in Dublin, Georgia. He spent his childhood and growing up years in Dudley, Georgia with his parents, two brothers and a host of cousins, other family members, and friends. Lots of special pets were present during these years and on till his death. He and his family were faithful members of Dudley Methodist Church, now Dudley Wesleyan Church, for many years. Mr. Willis attended Dudley High School where he participated in 4H and lettered in basketball and baseball. After graduating from high school, Mr. Willis enrolled in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he obtained his associate's degree in Agriculture. He transferred to the University Of Georgia to receive a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education. He became the County Extension Agent in Baxley, then Moultrie, Georgia for a few years. He married the love of his life, Kathryn Ola Sawyer, in 1960. They were married for over 55 years. They had two children, Sally and Bert.

Mr. Willis returned to the University of Georgia in 1965 to study Social Work and received his master's degree in Social Work soon after. He was a social worker at the Dublin Carl Vinson V.A. Medical Center for over 30 years, 25 of them serving as the Social Work Chief of Staff. He received many awards while working at the V.A. Some of the most important to him were the ones related to race relations and unity. 

Mr. Willis had a special relationship with Dublin City Schools. He was on the school board for over 20 years, many of them serving as Chairman of the School Board. He served on the Georgia School Board Association for 20 years, also.  He especially loved Dublin Football. In 2012, Bob and Kathryn were honored as the Dublin High Football "Fans of the Year," an honor of which he was very proud. 

Mr. Willis also loved University of Georgia Football. He held season tickets to the games for over 40 years and loved his Bulldogs! He was also an Adjunct Faculty member with the University of Georgia School of Social Work for many years. He loved education and guided many Social Work students on their internships at the V.A. Hospital in Dublin. 

Mr. Willis was a faithful member of First Methodist Church in Dublin for over 60 years. He served on many committees and loved his Sunday School Class, the Progressive Sunday School Class, a class known for lively discussions on everyday faith. He served on the Board of Directors for the Dublin Federal Employees Credit Union, was a graduate of Leadership Dublin-Laurens County, was a member of the Dublin Elks Lodge, and genuinely tried to better his community all he could.

Mr. Willis was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Sawyer Willis, his parents, Cecil and Alice Floyd Willis, his brothers, Tommy (Shirley) Willis, and Billy (Betty Ann) Willis, and his brother-in-law, Al (Marie) Sawyer. 

 Survivors include his daughter, Sally (John) Daniels of Dublin, son, Bert (Shirley) Willis of Indio, CA, Godson, Charles (Marlene) Hendricks of Cumming, GA, granddaughters, Brooke (Blake) Carr and Marina Daniels of Dublin, grandson, Grant Daniels of Dublin, great granddaughter, Maclairah Carr of Dublin, great grandson, Walker Carr of Dublin, and longtime friend, Dr. Ed Fitzgerald of Dublin.

A special thanks goes out to his caretakers, Angela, Tamika, Bailey, Tammy, Tashema, and Stephanie.

The family will receive friends at Dublin First Methodist Church at 1:30 PM Friday with celebration of life service to follow  at 2:30 PM. Reverend Dave Thompson, Rev. Gene Yates and Rev. Dick Reese will officiate. Burial will follow in Dublin Memorial Gardens.

Pall bearers are John Bell IV, Grant Daniels, Tim Habersham, Mike Helton, Charles Hendricks, Ricky Slaughter, Dale White, and Larry Willis.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dudley Wesleyan Church, Dublin First Methodist Church, or the Dublin- Laurens County Humane Society.

Please visit www.townsendfuneralhome.com for service updates and to sign the online memorial register.

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