Deleon "Dee" Willis, Jr.

DeLeon Willis, Jr. was born January 13, 1961 in Washington, D.C. He was the middle child of three children born to the union of DeLeon and Mary (Hunter) Willis. He was known more affectionately as “Dee” by his family and close friends. Due to his father’s military career, Dee lived abroad and in various states. While attending John F. Kennedy High School (San Antonio, Texas), he was a popular student and star basketball player from 9th through 11th grade. Thereafter, Dee attended Marion-Franklin High School (Columbus, Ohio) from which he graduated in 1980. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his military career, Dee met and was briefly married to Darlene Hart. During that union, he became the proud father of one daughter, Monique. He was currently employed with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) as a HVAC Service Technician / Baseload Auditor in Energy and Air Quality. Dee truly enjoyed his workplace, his colleagues, and serving the community. Dee was an avid fisherman, a hobby that he shared with his father and uncle. Up until his last days, he and his Uncle Billy shared those fishing adventures. On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at the age of 57, DeLeon Willis, Jr., departed this life suddenly while at home in his Columbus residence. He was preceded in death by his father DeLeon Sr., brother Pastor Melvin D. Willis, paternal grandparents, Samuel and Lenora Willis, and maternal grandparents, George and Nannie Hunter. Those remaining to cherish memories of Dee include his daughter Monique C. Hart of Atlanta, Georgia; loving mother Mary E. Willis; devoted sister Denise R. Willis-Thompson (Ron) of Columbus, Ohio; grandsons, Isaac and Dylan Hart, both of Atlanta; nieces, Cequoia Anderson of Columbus, Sabyl and Mychole Willis, both of Dayton, Ohio; nephew Roderick “Deon” Willis; great niece Kanyla Willis; great nephews, Marcel and Mason Lacey of Columbus; and a host of other relatives and friends.