Charles "Jiggs" Willis, Sr.

Charles “Jiggs” Willis, Sr., of Weber City, VA, passed away Friday, September 4, 2026, at the age of 93. He was born on January 24, 1933, in Lynch, Kentucky.

Jiggs lived a life marked by steady work, faithful service, and deep devotion to his family and community. He retired from Mead Paper, where he worked in the maintenance department. For more than 60 years, he was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Weber City, a lasting reflection of his faith and commitment to his church family.

He was especially well known and dearly appreciated for his many years on the football field in Gate City, Virginia. For over 20 years, he was a beloved little league football coach who took great joy in helping young players learn the game. He encouraged them to be tough, disciplined, and hardworking, and he thoroughly enjoyed every moment he spent coaching. The impressions he made on the boys he coached endured through the years, and he was widely respected as one of the best coaches in town.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Willis; his son, Charles “Chuck” Willis, Jr.; his father, Geroge W. Willis, Sr.; his mother, Laura Willis; his sisters, Alice, Edna, Ruby, Alleen, Elizabeth, Irene, and Jewel; and his brothers, Howard “Bud,” Ralph, Hobart, Faye, Leon, John, and Roy Lee.

Jiggs is survived by his son Harold Willis and his wife, Nancy; his granddaughter Sarah Willis Pippin and her husband, Blair; his grandson Nic Willis and his wife, Ireland; his great-grandchildren, Aiden Pippin, Addy Pippin, and Jasper Willis; his brother, Geroge W. Willis, Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Kathy Willis; and his special friend, Joann McDonough. He will be remembered with love by his family and by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Gateway Baptist Church, 155 Shady Elm Lane, Weber City, Virginia. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Deboard officiating. Music will be provided by Terry Bennett and Stan Rogers. Burial will follow at Holston View Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Association by visiting their website www.alz.org or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by visiting their website www.stjude.org in Jiggs memory.

Charles “Jiggs” Willis, Sr. leaves behind a legacy of hard work, faith, mentorship, and love. His life touched his family, his church, and generations of young athletes, and his memory will be cherished for years to come.