Arthur Judson Willis

RUN WITH PHOTO Veteran Arthur Judson "A.J." Willis OMEGA Arthur Judson "A.J." Willis, 90, of Omega died Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Antioch Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Voyles and the Rev. Phillip Robinson officiating. Interment will follow at Leila Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 6 Sunday at the funeral home. Casketbearers are Randall Norman, John R. Wylie, James Ragan, Butch Griffin, Brent Hyde, Benny Martin and Russ Willis. Honorary pallbearers are Ray Martin, Horace Martin, Billy Fender, Everett Rowan, Julian Bennett, Tony Bennett, W.F. McFarland, Lloyd Clark, Henry Jernigan, Ken Jernigan, Milton Mercer, Robby Ethridge,Randall Baker and Ernest Donald. Mr. Willis was born on Feb. 24, 1922 in Lenox to William Rigdon Willis and Alla Perry Willis, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Thurman Willis and W.C. Willis, and three sisters, Erma Griffin, Anna Lear Warren and Peggy Wylie. He was a retired farmer in the Ty Ty community. Mr. Willis was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He was an Army veteran, POW for 7 months in a German prison. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church and was the oldest deacon for 40 years. Mr. Willis is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Martin Willis; a son, James Rigdon Willis and wife Pam of Watkinsville; two daughters and a son-in-law, Ann W. Roberts and husband Donnie of Norman Park and Paula W. Edwards of Tifton; grandchildren, Lynn Ring, Jamie Willis and Stacy of Watkinsville, Stuart Willis and Tammy of Canton, Jonathan Willis of Knoxville, Tenn., Shelley Roberts, Kristi Roberts of Norman Park, Danielle Edwards and significant other David Beranek of Tifton and Tyler Edwards and fiancé Amber Garrick of Tifton; and great-grandchildren, Jeremy Ring, Justin Ring, Ashleigh Willis, A.J. Willis, Braxton Willis, Brice Willis and Isabella Willis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Baker Funeral Home.