Chris Alan Willis

Obituary Chris Alan Willis, 70, of Otway, won his ultimate game as he entered Heaven on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Carteret Healthcare with his wife by his side. Chris was born in 1950 to Don and Virgie Willis of Harkers Island. He attended Harkers Island Elementary and East Carteret High School where he graduated in 1970. At any time, you could find him riding the roads on Harkers Island in his mustang, often racing Stevie Dye Chadwick. On May 15, 1982, Chris married the love of his life, Cindy. They built their life on Otway Farm Road where he devoted his life to be an amazing father to their two daughters born in 1983 and 1987. Those girls led him to his passion of softball, a pastime he spent countless hours coaching, mentoring, and loving girls in the Down East Girls Softball League. Chris was employed at Cherry Point from 1987-2014, where he held many different positions. He retired as a Pneumatics Aircraft Mechanic. Prior to Cherry Point, he worked his dream job at Longleys Building Supply. In his free time prior to getting sick, Chris enjoyed riding to Marshallberg and Shell Point, cutting grass, tinkering on things around the yard, and watching NC State Basketball. He was in numerous hunting clubs throughout the years and ended as the president of the Bettie Hunting Club. In his prime, he got so much enjoyment gathering early mornings with all the men, running dogs and killing deer or bear. His family loved watching him in the kitchen, cooking his deer tenderloin with gravy and mashed potatoes just for them. In 2011, he earned his most loved title, "Pop". His heart grew twice in size when he welcomed twin granddaughters, Vivi and Madi. They brought so much joy to his final 9 years. He spoiled them rotten every chance he could. Regardless of how he felt, he picked them up from school every day before he became bed bound. He taught them all about softball, whether from a wheelchair or a bed. Chris is survived by his wife of 37 years, Cindy; daughters Kari Willis (Blair) of Beaufort; Kacyn Willis of Morehead City; grandchildren, Vivian and Maddox Willis of Beaufort; sister Charlene Willis of Morehead City; mother in-law Myrtle Lawrence of Otway; brother in-law Brownie (Debbie) of Otway; sister in-law Juanita (Jay) of Otway; nieces and nephews Don Carroll Willis (Leah) of Clayton; Jared Willis of Morehead; Renae Willis (Jason) of Davis; BJ Lawrence of Farmville; Trey Russell (Hayley) of Tusk; Jayme Russell of Otway; great-nieces and nephews Carleigh and Corey Willis of Davis; and Kendalyn Willis of Clayton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Virgie Willis, brother Jeffrey Willis, and father-in law, HB Lawrence. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at the Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church on Saturday, March 7 from 6-8pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the church on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 2pm. Interment will follow at the Lawrence Family Cemetery on Gillikin Rd. The family would like to give thanks to so many: his special caregiver Wanda, Audrianna and Renae; Dr. Davis and his staff, as well as many special nurses at Carteret Health Care and Pruitt Health. Flowers or memorial gifts are welcomed. Memorial gifts can be made to: DE Girls Softball League c/o John Bunting at 112 Craven Dr, Havelock NC 28532 or Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church at 85 US Hwy 70, Smyrna NC 28579. Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.org Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC. Services Visitation Saturday March 7, 2020 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church 85 US 70 Smyrna, NC 28579 Funeral Service Sunday March 8, 2020 2:00 PM Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church 85 US 70 Smyrna, NC 28579