James Willis

JAMES B. WILLIS age 66, born on February 19, 1950 in Columbus, Ohio passed away on December 25, 2016. He was the beloved husband for 35 years of Kathy (Hoffman) Willis (nee Calvert); loving father of Kelly Hoffman (fiancé Ken Barton) and Connie Brazauskas (fiancé Michael Oliver); devoted grandfather of Andrew Arabie, Jayson Brazauskas, Katherine Arabie, Robert Brazauskas, Manny DelPinal, great-grandfather of Delilah, and step-grandfather of 6; cherished son of the late Raymond and Anne (nee Zdolshek); dearest brother of Allen (wife Ann, deceased) and the late Richard; dear nephew, uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Jim was a resident of Chesterland for 36 years, formerly of Lyndhurst. He was a member of Union Local #33 Sheet Metal Worker and a U.S. Army Veteran who was stationed in Germany. Jim graduated from Brush High School in 1969 and received an Associate’s degree from the West Side Institute of Technology. He was the owner/operator of Miller Heating & Air. Jim loved his Harley and 1956 Oldsmobile. He enjoyed skeet shooting with trophies and was a season ticket holder for the Browns. Jim loved traveling, especially to France, England, Mexico, the Bahamas and St. Kitts. He will be remembered most as an amazing man. Jim was a family man, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was very dignified, private, honest and had a great sense of humor. Jim was hardworking and always encouraged his family and friends to do what would make them happy. He will be dearly missed.

Contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the Denise Calvert Scholarship Fund at Wittenberg University Attn: Alumni Relations P.O. Box 720, Springfield, OH 45501.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. Anselm Catholic Church 12969 Chillicothe Rd, Chesterland at 10 AM. Burial following with Military Honors at Chesterland Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Jim at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) THURSDAY 2-4 & 5-8 PM. Cremation by DeJohn Crematory.