Coach John Henry Willis

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

John Henry Willis was born on February 11, 1944, in Griffin, Georgia. He was the second oldest of eight children born to the late Myrtice and James Willis. He received his formal education at Henry County Training School in McDonough, Georgia where he graduated third in a class of 122. He furthered his studies at Fort Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia and later earned his
master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama.

A man of strong faith, John accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age. He was a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church in Locust Grove, Georgia, and later transferred his membership to Zion
Baptist Church in Brunswick, Georgia.

On May 9, 1965, John was united in holy matrimony with Barbara Ann Fullard in Swainsboro, Georgia. Their union was blessed with three children: Michael, Wesley, and Maria.

John worked as a Physical Education Teacher in McDonough, GA, Birmingham, AL, and Brunswick, GA. His coaching career spanned decades and left a lasting impact on countless young athletes. He began in 1966, coaching basketball, football, and track at Henry County Training High School, Westside High School, and Henry County Comprehensive High School in McDonough, Georgia, until 1974. He then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he coached basketball and football at A.H. Parker High School until 1980. From 1980 to 2002, he coached football and track at Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Georgia, before finishing his coaching career at McIntosh County Academy High School in Darien, Georgia, where he coached basketball and football from 2003 to 2004.

During his tenure as head coach at Brunswick High School, his 1999 team ranks as the best in the school’s history where they were ranked second in the state and 10th in the country by USA Today. John was known for his dedication to the sports and his ability to inspire his players both on and off the field.

John was an active professional in the education and coaching communities. He was a proud member of the National Education Association, the Georgia Education Association, the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, and the Fort Valley State University Alumni Association. Additionally, he was a dedicated member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. – Upsilon Sigma Chapter and Lambda Tau Chapter, and Seven Star Lodge No. 122 in Waynesville, Georgia.

John enjoyed playing cards with his grandchildren, ordering an assortment of items from Wish, researching basketball drills, and, above all, spending quality time with his family.

John Henry Willis departed this life on Saturday, January 25, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Myrtice Willis; three siblings, James Willis, Charles Willis and Margaret
McDaniel; and sister-in-law, Roberta Cross-Davenport.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Barbara Ann Willis; children, Michael (Sherita) Willis, Wesley (Tonya) Willis, and Maria Willis; his grandchildren, Andre Willis of Daytona, FL, Breanna Willis of Brunswick, GA, Alexandria, Alycia, and Aaliyah Willis of Dallas, GA, and Damare and Dimarie Mangram, and Deon Martin, II all of Brunswick, GA; two sisters, Dr. Martha (Fletcher) Taylor and Prentice (John) Whitner; two brothers, Tommy (Hazel) Willis and Terry (Francis) Willis; brother-in-law, Bill Fullard; sister-in-law, Alberta Burnette; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.