Mr. James Wesley Willis, of Harrisburg, departed this life Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, at the age of 82.

He was born March 2, 1940 in Nettleton, MS, the son of the late Cecil Willis and Freda Belle Hood Willis.

James married Nellie Smart on June 28, 1958 and they enjoyed 64 years together. After their wedding they moved to Nettleton, MS and worked on a chicken farm where he graded eggs.  They moved to Harrisburg in 1967 and he worked at Conbrey Gas Company in Marked Tree.  He later retired from E. Ritter Company after 20 years of service.  James was a man of many talents and enjoyed working on anything. He was a member of the Marked Tree Masonic Lodge, a 32 ^nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He was also a member of the Anderson-Tulley Baptist Church near Harrisburg.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and a daughter, Donna Ramsey.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie Willis of the home, three daughters, Chrystal Bryant (Darrell) of Weiner, Teresa Holcomb (William) of Harrisburg, and Sonia Drum of Harrisburg, one sister, Sissy Matthews of Winter Haven, FL, seven grandchildren, Wesley Davis, Suzie Davis, Steven Gonzales, John Gonzales, Rachelle Drum, Tosha Ramsey, and Dustin Ramsey, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 3, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at the Gregg-Weston Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisburg, with Brother Rick Jenson and Brother Jerry Franklin officiating.  Friends may visit at the funeral home Friday, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Masonic Honors will be given following the service at the chapel. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. James will be cremated following services and buried at a later date at the Carter/Harvison Cemetery at Sulphur Rock.