Warren D. Willis Sr. 1931-2021

He was born May 13, 1931, in Chicasaw County, Miss., a son of Grover and Arvera Gillespie Willis. He graduated from Itta Bena College in Mississippi and was an Army veteran, serving in the Korean War. He was baptized at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Mississippi. He had been employed by the Mahoning County Sanitation Department, where he was the first black technician with the county, retiring in 1999.

He leaves to mourn his passing, but to rejoice in his peace, two children, Warren D. Willis Jr. and Joann Crocker; and his sister Castene Baskin, all of Youngstown; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, and his wife, Wilma J. Gunn Willis, to whom he was married for 50 years, he was preceded in death by his brother, Otto Patrick; and three sisters, Iona Kendrick, Cleo Ward and Carnelia Sims.

A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to L.E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.

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