Chester N. Willis, 93, of South Webster, died Sunday July 8, 2012 at SOMC Hospice Center. He was born March 17, 1919 in Carter Co., Ky., a son of the late Herbert and Clara Wells Willis. Chester was a 1938 graduate of South Webster High School, a lifelong farmer and retired from Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in 1983. He was a member of the Backporch Pickers and was a U.S. Marine veteran.
He is survived by two sons, Larry G. Willis and Chester R. Willis, both of Oak Hill; two daughters, Reva Crace of Sciotoville and Edith Mullen of Wheelersburg; one brother, Roy Willis of South Webster; six grandchildren, Sandy Crace, Danny Ray Crace, Jeffrey Crace, Cathy Willis, Summer King and Amber Mershon; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Willis; his second wife, Vernita Beasler Kaltenbach Willis; a brother, Herbert Willis; two sisters, Dorothy Bellomy and Virginia Hagen and a grandchild, Chester R. Willis II.
Services will be at noon (12 p.m.) Thursday, July 12, 2012 at D.W. Swick Funeral Home in South Webster with Pastor Paul Willis Hagen officiating. Interment will be at South Webster Cemetery with military graveside honors by James Dickey Post 23, American Legion. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at D.W. Swick in South Webster. The family requests donations may be made to SOMC Hospice Center, 2201 25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662. Condolences may be sent to: dwswickfuneralhome.com