Claude W. Willis

Claude W. Willis, age 100, was born on December 4, 1913 near Jacksonville, Florida. He was educated in the Columbus City Schools at Pilgrim Elementary, Champion Middle, and East High Schools, where he earned honors in football, baseball, and track. He was a graduate of Claflin College in Orangeburg, SC, where he became a life-long member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Claude lived a life in service to Christ and to youth; first as a teacher at Grandard High School in Gaffney, SC; then at the Spring Street YMCA. He also coached amateur athletic teams, and later was director of the Upward Bound Program at Ohio Dominican College. Mr. Willis encouraged and assisted hundreds of youth in Ohio to stay in school and seek a college education in order to prepare themselves for a successful working career. He was a devoted member and long-time Sunday school teacher at Shiloh Baptist Church. He was predeceased by his wife of more than 70 years, Frances Irene (Skeaton) Willis, of Urbancrest, OH; sisters, Georgia West, Ida Collins and Dorothy Carter; and brother, William “Bill” Willis, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory his nephews, Bill, Jr.; Clem and Dan Willis; Robert and Alva Collins; nieces, Anna Collins-Stanback, Winnifred Collins Shorter, and Gwen Carter Pittman; as well as cousin, Stephen Franklin, and other relatives and friends.