Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory

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(262) 552-9000

Edward D. Willis

Dec 29, 1939 – Jun 12, 2019

Service Details

Funeral: Monday, June 17, 2019  12:00pm

Visitation: Monday, June 17, 20219  11:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Rd., Racine, WI

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Racine – Edward D. “Eddie” Willis, age 79, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 after a long illness. Eddie was born on Dec 29, 1939 to the union of Rulelver and Ardie Mae Willis in Birmingham AL. He was the eldest of six children and moved to Racine with his parents in 1945.

Eddie was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles and cherished sports of any kind. He loved history so much that he added his middle name, Dessalines, after a Haitian ruler of old. Edward was united in marriage to Diann Faye Willis on May 17, 1996. He worked for more than 30 years with Chrysler, American Motors Corporation and retired in 2001. In past years, Eddie enjoyed being a part of the Prince Hall Masons and had attained the honor of his 32nd degree.

Eddie leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Diann Willis, her son Kent Kirby, the McGowan and Shields family, brother Tyronne Willis, and sister Bonnye Collins and her sons Curtis, Carey and Cyle Collins. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, and a host of family and friends. Eddie did not have any biological children but inherited sons and daughters in Dave Minor, Pamela Smith, Zenetta Harvey, Valencia Harvey and Thomas (Donna) Harvey, and his great-granddaughter Naomi Lewis who fondly called him Papa.

Eddie was preceded in death by his father Rulelver in 1972, his mother Ardie Mae in 2016, brothers James Talbert, Rulelver Jr., Robert and his wife Anne, Timothy Willis, and his former wife Flora L. Willis in 1994.

A Celebration of his life will be held on  on Monday, June 17, 2019 at 12:00pm, in the Chapel of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd., Racine, WI.  Visitation will be in the Chapel from 11:00am until the time of service.  Please visit the funeral home website at a later date for his full obituary.

Guestbook Entries

  3. Cardella Hicks says

    My sincere condolences to the family of Edward Willis.
    May the God of all comfort, comfort you and your family during this very difficult time.

    1Corithians 1:3,4

  4. Anonymous says

    So sorry to hear of Edwards passing. Our prayers are with you and your family. God will keep you strong.

    Love & Blessings
    Les & Claudette Shackelford
    Inglewood, CA

  5. Anonymous says

    My sincere condolences to you, Faye and all the Family. Be encouraged. Crying will endure for a night but joy comes in the morning! Love you!

  6. Min. Rosalie A. kirk says

    Faye and Family: Be encouraged, God will wipe away your tears. Joy does come in the Morning. As you travel this journey, I pray that God will continue to give each of you strength for the days ahead. Love you , Rosie

  8. J. Flowers says

    Dear family and friends, I’m very sorry for your loss. Those who have lost loved ones in death are comforted beyond measure by the bible-based hope of the resurrection at John 5:28, 29. I hope this scripture brings you comfort.

  9. Carol Linda Jones says

    ZENNETTA , I was heartbroken to learn of Eddie’s passing . I only remember him as a Caring family man and an Extemely Hard Worker And Provider. He and Flora enjoyed visiting Joe and Jackie Knuckles, barbecuing and conversating.
    I am deeply sorry for your loss

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Testimonials

August 1, 2025

My siblings and I recently had the unfortunate experience of having to plan a funeral for our beloved mother – Juana Munoz. During this difficult time, we were fortunate enough to come across a funeral home that truly went above and beyond what was expected. Their attention to detail and dedication to ensuring our comfort and safety throughout the entire process was truly remarkable.

From the moment we stepped foot into the funeral home, we were greeted with warmth and compassion. The staff members, but specifically Mark was incredibly understanding and empathetic, making us feel at ease during such a challenging time. Mark took the time to listen to our needs and wishes, and his guidance and support were invaluable.

One aspect that truly stood out was Mark’s meticulous attention to detail. He paid close attention to every aspect of the funeral arrangements, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. From the floral arrangements to the music selection, every detail was carefully considered and executed flawlessly. Mark even noticed that the temperature in the room was getting warm and promptly adjusted it to ensure our comfort.

What impressed me the most was their commitment to our safety. Mark and his team took every precaution to ensure that our family and guests were protected throughout the entire process. From the funeral home to the cemetery, Mark made sure that all safety measures were in place, including providing hand sanitizers, and even arranging for additional staff members to assist with crowd control.

Furthermore, Mark’s professionalism and organization was evident in every aspect of the funeral service. He coordinated seamlessly with the cemetery staff, ensuring a smooth transition from the funeral home to the final resting place. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence truly made a difference in our overall experience.

In addition to their exceptional service, the funeral home also provided us with resources and support beyond the funeral itself. They offered grief counseling services and connected us with local support groups, which proved to be invaluable during our grieving process.

Overall, we cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Mark and broader Draeger Langendorf team. Their attention to detail, commitment to our safety, and genuine compassion made a difficult time a little more bearable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of funeral arrangements, as they truly go above and beyond to ensure that every detail is taken care of and that families are supported throughout the entire process.

– Epifanio and The Munoz Family

Epifanio Munoz, Jr.

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4600 County Line Road
Mount Pleasant, WI 53403
(262) 552-9000

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