Obituary of Edward Lee Willis

Edward Lee Willis, 73, of Roanoke found peace with the Lord on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. "Ed" was the eldest son of Robert Edward Willis and Ercell Aldridge Willis. Edward is survived by his ex-wife, Joyce Perdue Willis, and three children, Marlene Bergin, husband Larry, and grandson Lukas; Joann Willis and fiancé Brian Lindholm; Jonathan Willis wife Amy , and soon -to-be born second grandson Willis! Edward also leaves behind three brothers and three sisters: Gerald, Richard and wife Dana, Jack and wife Dottie, Pauline Stover, Kathleen Conner and Eloise Green, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Ed grew up in Check, VA and left high school early to follow in the footsteps of his father, a US Army WWII veteran. Edward served his country in the Air Force before working for Norfolk Southern Corporation for 36 years and retiring as Yardmaster. His son, Jonathan, served in the U S Navy and is a Naval Academy graduate. Special thanks are expressed to Linda and the rest of the staff at Woodhaven Nursing Home and with Southern Care Hospice, who treated Ed with exceptional kindness and compassion in his final years and days, and to unofficial "adopted" daughters, Janet Nichols and Patricia Whittaker, who cared for Ed with much humor and warmth. Funeral services will be conducted 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by the Rev. Stephen Shackelford. Interment will follow in Restvale Cemetery, Copper Hill. The Willis family will welcome all friends from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until service time. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Solid Rock Baptist Church 7464 Old Mill Road Roanoke, Va. 24018.Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707