Robert Lee "Bobby" Willis, 72, of the Upper Laurel community passed into Heaven on Monday, April 4, 2022. Bobby was a deacon and lifelong member of Upper Laurel Baptist Church, an entrepreneur, carpenter, and avid Atlanta Braves fan. Above all, he was a survivor. Bobby was a stage four cancer survivor in the 1970's and a pioneer recipient of many treatments utilized to treat and cure cancer today. Bobby was exceptionally funny, endlessly kind, and amazingly strong. He was married to the love of his life for fifty-one years. He was the kind of Daddy every child deserves to have and wrote the book on being the best Papa ever.

Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Perry Willis, and survived by his mother, Zell Ponder Willis. Also surviving are his wife, Cleta Jenkins Willis; his children Jeff and Jamie; his children-in-love Christy and Eldridge; and his grandchildren Kiana and Knolan Starkey and Brayden Willis. He is survived by his brothers Jim (Melanie) and Anthony, his sister, Susie Jenkins (Ricky-deceased), and his sisters in law Donna (Joe) Ray, Deane (Omar) Fender and Rita Willis. A host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews were faithful in showing love for their Uncle Bobby.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, April 7th at Upper Laurel Baptist Church. Reverends Cline Hensley Jr. and Bill Ponder will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 prior to the service.

The family would like to express gratitude to all the physicians and nurses who have treated Bobby throughout his life, especially Dr. Reavis Eubanks, Dr. Robert Barker, Dr. William Bradshaw and home health nurse, Sue Cauble. The family will be forever grateful for the end-of-life care provided by the exceptional staff at CarePartners Solace Center.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org