Bennie Joe Willis, 70, of Alapaha died Tuesday December 15, 2015 at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born December 28, 1944 in Tifton, GA to the late James Alton (Jack) Willis and the late Katie Jacobs Willis. He was a retired lifelong farmer and also worked with Langboard, Inc. He was a member of St. Luke Baptist Church and attended Alapaha Community Church of God. He attended Berrien High School and served in the Georgia Army National Guard. He was preceded in death by a sister: Daphne Willis Salinas and an infant brother.

He is survived by his wife: Sarah Frances Copeland Willis of Alapaha; 4 daughters: Debbie (James) Dixon of Douglas, Dana (Tommy) Tyson of Alapaha, Dawn Griffin (Neil Holbrook) of Nashville, Delane Heath (Jerry Yawn) of Alapaha; 2 brothers: Ronald (Ann) Willis of San Antonio, TX and Wayne (Linda) Willis of Lebanon, TN; 2 sisters: Barbara Ann (Johnny) Wilkerson of Lebanon, TN and Patricia Willis of Spotsylvania, VA; 7 grandsons: Scott ( Sharon) Dixon, Seth (Emma) Dixon, Clint Tyson, Ethan Dixon, Adam Heath, Zane Dixon and Tyler Heath; 1 granddaughter: McKinley Dawn Tyson; 2 great granddaughters: Camilla and Penelope; 2 great grandsons: Cameron and Logan; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday December 18, 2015 at 2 PM in the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Kicklighter and the Rev. John Jacobs officiating. Interment will follow in Fletcher Cemetery with Masonic grave rites. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6-8 PM.