W.R. (William Rayburn) Willis

W. R. (William Rayburn) Willis, was born to Edna and William (Casey) Willis, February 4th, 1937 in Springfield Arkansas.

From the cotton fields of Arkansas, he would walk into his Life calling, at the age of 15, by migrating to Hannibal Missouri. From the difficult life of being raised in a huge Family, to the vibrant city life of a riverfront town on the Mississippi, he traveled and found the one who would change his life. JESUS.

There, under the tutelage of his Uncle Pat Axton, he started attending the Pentecostal Church on 11th and Broadway. He was filled with the Holy Ghost and called to preach there in the Revival fire, under the Pastoral Leadership of a Man who would soon become his Father-in-Law. Rev. C. S. Albert.

There he met and married Dorcas Albert, on June 6, 1954.

In 1965 they answered the Call to Pastor a Church in Chicagoland: Calvary Tabernacle.

This would become the Joy of their entire Family.

Seven children, and a life filled with family vacations to Hannibal for Christmas, and Branson Missouri every year, their lives revolved around Church and the Glorious work of GOD.

To support such a large and growing Family, WR worked as an Industrial Pattern Maker, designing parts for even airplanes, and architectural assignments. He loved to talk “shop” with everyone around him about the trade he made a vocation of.

How he loved the retirement, that was never a retirement. He took a job, just to have fun. It seemed to surpass all his years of laborious design. He was now a WALMART GREETER! The perfect job for the Man who literally never met a stranger. The employees and patrons of WALMART became a second family to him.

The greatest lesson they ever tried to teach him was, that a GREETER must actually engage in more than ONE CONVERSATION that could last for hours, with the first person through the doors that day.

But he was only trying to make sure that every patron knew, The Lighthouse Church on 127th St was his home, and they were not really living, until they came to visit The Lighthouse Church.

He loved to talk about all his children, and how proud he was of each of them.

Thank you Naomi, for all the loving and tireless care you have provided to him. You honored him greatly.

WR is preceded in death by his parents, William (Casey) and Edna Willis, his brother Milton, and two sons, Joseph and Philip.

He leaves behind to carry on his charismatic personality, his sons, Bishop Dan (Linda) Willis, Pastor Andrew (Cheryl) Willis, John (Lisa) Willis, daughters, Naomi and Laurella Willis. His siblings cherish his memory. Rev. Bill Willis, Rev. WC Willis, Hulon Joel (Yankee) Willis, and one beloved sister Dana Lee.

Poppa Willis leaves a host of friends and family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and Family he has engaged in conversations, all over the world.

WR Willis never ever complained about anything, and always responded, all was ok, and come to The Lighthouse Church.

His humor, storytelling, and blessing everyone with a cross, will be greatly missed and remembered forever.

He has now gone ahead to the ultimate greeting location of life, and…… we will meet you in the morning, just inside the Eastern Gate, Poppa Willis!

A visitation will be held 9:00 am to 10:00 am Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Grand View Funeral Home.  Funeral services will follow at 10:00 am.  Burial will be in the Grand View Burial Park.