Lamar Alton Willis

Lamar Alton Willis went to be with his Savior Jesus  Christ  December 23, 2023  in Athens, Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his parents  J.W. and Vallie Willis of Manchester, Georgia and brothers Floyd and Barry Willis.    Educated  in Manchester, Georgia, public schools,  Mr. Willis attended Mercer University and was graduated  from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, with a Bachelor of Arts/Music Degree.  He received a Master of Sacred Music Degree from New Orleans Baptist Seminary in 1958.

During his time at seminary God led him to his life-partner, Twila Fleming.  They were married  August 27, 1957, and have served faithfully together as Minister of Music and Organist since that time.

While serving at Beecher Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Rev. Willis took Youth and Handbell Choirs on tour to ten states over 50,000 miles.  He was elected to be Music Director for the Atlanta Baptist Association and also for the Sarepta Baptist Association.   Others positions of leadership were President of the Georgia Baptist Music Conference and the Sons of Jubal Men’s Choir, in which he sang for 38 years, including mission tours to South America and Germany.   For over seventy years Mr. Willis served churches in Florida, Louisiana and Georgia as Minister of Music, including having led music in revivals in many churches.

Being known for his many jokes in order to create joyfulness, he was even more a strong, dedicated man of deep Christian faith, integrity, and total dedication to his Lord.

Mr. Willis is survived by his wife Twila of 66 years; daughters Stacia (Randy) Long of Athens, Gaye Anne (Joseph) Tanner of Conway, SC, Jana (Vincent) Lowery of Athens, and son Brent (Lisa) Willis of Cordele, GA.   Also surviving are nine grandchildren:  Amie May Reynolds (Chris) Katherine May, Daniel May, Zachary Lester (Jordan), Joshua Lester (Amelia), John Hunter Willis, Nathan Willis, Andrew Willis, Jonathan Long, and Devan (Brooks) Daniel;   along with  three great-granddaughters:  Leena Katherine May,   Margaret Amelia May, and Brynley Reese Lester, and great-grandson Beau Vincent Daniel.  Other survivors include sisters-in-law Barbara Willis of Tallahassee, FL, Sheila (David) Clause, and brother-in-law Sheldon (Florence) Fleming of Hagerstown, MD, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm December 27, at First Christian Church, Athens, Ga.

His life hymn is “To God Be The Glory” and his life verse is “Serve the Lord with Gladness.”  Psalm 100:1,2.

“Only one life, it will soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”