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 32 ^nd 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.

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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