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Willis Family History & Genealogy

61,147 biographies and 112 photos with the Willis last name. Discover the family history, nationality, origin and common names of Willis family members.

Willis Last Name History & Origin

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History

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Name Origin

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Spellings & Pronunciations

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Nationality & Ethnicity

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Famous People named Willis

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Early Willises

These are the earliest records we have of the Willis family.

Ann Willis of Australia was born in 1781, and died at age 78 years old in 1859.
Ann Willis of Australia was born in 1784, and died at age 71 years old in 1855.
Ann Amelia Willis of Australia was born in 1788, and died at age 81 years old in 1869.
Millie Willis was born circa 1788, and died at age 45 years old circa 1833. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Millie Willis.
John Willis of Australia was born in 1796, and died at age 81 years old in 1877.
Richard Willis of Australia was born in 1797, and died at age 68 years old in 1865.
Mary Willis of Alberton Australia was born in 1799, and died at age 83 years old in 1882 in Alberton.
John Willis of Australia was born in 1799, and died at age 71 years old in 1870.
Francis Furber Willis of Australia was born in 1801, and died at age 69 years old in 1870.
Henry Willis of Australia was born in 1801, and died at age 74 years old in 1875.
Mary Willis of Australia was born in 1801, and died at age 64 years old in 1865.
Samuel James Willis of Carngham Australia was born in 1802, and died at age 88 years old in 1890 in Carngham.

Willis Family Members

Surnames: Willich - Wilzok

Willis Family Photos

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Willis Family Tree

Discover the most common names, oldest records and life expectancy of people with the last name Willis.

Most Common First Names

Updated Willis Biographies

Alma Edna (Appleyard) Willis of Traralgon, Latrobe City County, VIC Australia was born on January 22, 1911 in Alberton, Wellington Shire County to Walter George Appleyard and Florence Louise (Appleyard) Appleyard. She had siblings Amy Katherine Appleyard, Alfred James Appleyard, Elsie Elizabeth Appleyard, Doris "Dorrie" Appleyard, John Madden Appleyard, Constance "Connie" Monica Appleyard, Molly Mavis Appleyard, and Walter Ernest Appleyard. Alma Willis married Henry Joseph Willis in 1934, and died at age 87 years old on July 18, 1998 in Traralgon, Latrobe City County.
Nakisha Willis was married to Jack and they had a daughter named Madison. She also married Pernard Mccall and they had Mariea Mccall.
William Sterling Willis
William Sterling Willis was born circa 1828 in Garrard County, Kentucky USA, and died at age 74 years old in 1902. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William Sterling Willis.
Walter Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis, known widely as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and singer who rose to fame with his captivating on-screen presence, distinctive voice, and impressive versatility. Born on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, Willis embarked on a remarkable journey that would lead him to become one of Hollywood's most iconic action stars and a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Willis' early life was marked by his family's relocation to New Jersey, where he attended high school and later pursued a degree in drama at Montclair State University. After working in various odd jobs, he moved to New York City in the late 1970s to pursue acting professionally. Initially, his career began with stage performances and small television roles, including an appearance in the popular series "Miami Vice." However, Bruce Willis skyrocketed to fame when he landed the lead role of Detective David Addison in the hit television series "Moonlighting" (1985-1989). The show's success not only showcased his comedic flair but also hinted at his exceptional talent for action-oriented roles. In 1988, Willis's career reached new heights when he starred as John McClane in the blockbuster action film "Die Hard." The movie's enormous success firmly established him as a bonafide action star and led to a series of sequels, making John McClane an enduring character in cinema history.
Sofia Florence Willis was born on August 12, 2002 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States to David Andrew Willis Jr. and Nikolina Jacqueline Willis. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Sofia Florence Willis.
David Andrew Willis Jr. was born on May 24, 1963 in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey United States to David Andrew Willis Sr. and Marlene Katherine Willis, and has siblings Walter Bruce Willis, Florence Claire Rogers, and Robert Ralph Willis. David Willis married Nikolina Jacqueline Willis in 1998 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, and has a child Sofia Florence Willis. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember David Andrew Willis Jr..
Nikolina Jacqueline Willis was born on March 7, 1970 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States. Nikolina Willis got married to David Andrew Willis Jr. in 1998 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and has a child Sofia Florence Willis. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Nikolina Jacqueline Willis.
Florence Claire (Willis) Rogers was born on March 19, 1956 in Idar-Oberstein, RP Germany to David Andrew Willis Sr. and Marlene Katherine Willis, and has siblings Walter Bruce Willis, Robert Ralph Willis, and David Andrew Willis Jr.. Florence Rogers married Daniel Franklin Rogers on April 25, 1979 in Orlando, Orange County, Florida United States, and has children Summer Kristen Rogers, Tyler Benjamin Rogers, Katherine Martha Rogers, and Hayley Nicole Rogers. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Florence Claire Rogers.
Alma Cecilia (Raleigh) Willis was born on November 14, 1928 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania United States. She was married to David Andrew Willis Sr. in 1973 in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey, and they were together until Alma's death on January 4, 2003 in Penns Grove, Salem County. Alma Willis was buried on January 8, 2003 at Lawnside Cemetery 896 NJ-45, in Woodstown. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Alma Cecilia Willis.
David Andrew Willis Sr. was born on November 13, 1929 in Carneys Point Township, Salem County, New Jersey United States. He married Marlene Katherine Willis in 1954 in Camden, Camden County and they later divorced in 1970 in Camden. They had children Walter Bruce Willis, Florence Claire Rogers, Robert Ralph Willis, and David Andrew Willis Jr.. He would also marry Alma Cecilia Willis in 1973 in Camden, Camden County, and they were married until Alma's death on January 4, 2003 in Penns Grove, Salem County. David Willis died at age 79 years old on September 3, 2009 at Cooper University Hospital 1 Cooper Plaza, in Camden, Camden County, and was buried on September 6, 2009 at Lawnside Cemetery 896 NJ-45, in Woodstown, Salem County. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember David Andrew Willis Sr..
Robert Ralph Willis was born on April 29, 1959 in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware United States to David Andrew Willis Sr. and Marlene Katherine Willis, and had siblings Walter Bruce Willis, Florence Claire Rogers, and David Andrew Willis Jr.. Robert Willis died at age 42 years old on June 26, 2001 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA, and was buried at Cremated. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Robert Ralph Willis.
Marlene Katherine Willis was born on September 29, 1935 in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey United States. She was married to David Andrew Willis Sr. in 1954 in Camden, Camden County and they later divorced in 1970 in Camden. Marlene Willis has children Walter Bruce Willis, Florence Claire Rogers, Robert Ralph Willis, and David Andrew Willis Jr.. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Marlene Katherine Willis.
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Pheobe Rose Kembery .
Alice Letitia (Elizabeth) Willis of Melbourne, VIC Australia was born on October 18, 1919 in Melbourne, and died at age 88 years old in 2007 in Melbourne.
Stanley Harold Willis of Fitzroy, City of Yarra County, VIC Australia was born circa July 29, 1915 in Fitzroy, and died at age 64 years old in 1979 in Fitzroy.
Jack Clarence Lawrence Willis of Canberra, ACT Australia was born on October 22, 1916 in Melbourne, VIC, and died at age 95 years old on September 22, 2012 in Canberra, ACT.
Stanley Harold Willis of Heidelberg West, City of Banyule County, VIC Australia was born on December 5, 1894 at Wellington St, in Clifton Hill, City of Yarra County to William Jame Willis and Elizabeth Dodd Willis. Stanley Willis had siblings William James Willis, Arthur James Willis, Frederick George Willis, Ernest Charles Willis, and Charles Leslie Willis. He married Irene Maude Mary Maynard in 1915. They had children Stanley Harold Willis, Jack Clarence Lawrence Willis, Harold Arthur Valentine Willis, and Alice Letitia Elizabeth Willis. He would also marry Henrietta Robinson in 1926. Stanley Willis died at age 80 years old on November 19, 1975 in Heidelberg West, City of Banyule County.
Irene Maude Mary (Maynard) Willis of Melbourne, VIC Australia was born on September 12, 1897 in Carlton, City of Melbourne County, and died at age 59 years old on June 28, 1957 at St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Victoria Parade, in Fitzroy, City of Yarra County.
Harold Arthur Valentine Willis of Melbourne, VIC Australia was born on October 18, 1919 in Clifton Hill, City of Yarra County, and died at age 20 years old in 1939 in Melbourne.
John Willis of Spencerport, Monroe County, New York United States was born on October 4, 1943, and died at age 54 years old on May 22, 1998.

Popular Willis Biographies

Ted L Willis
Ted Lee Willis was born on November 21, 1930 in Poplar Bluff, Butler County Missouri to Albert D. Willis (1907-1999) and Helen A. Willis (1911-1990). His father, Albert, also known as AD, and mother, Helen, married on November 30, 1928, in Clay Arkansas. Ted had a younger sister named Margaret. During the 1940 Census, Ted was living at 2318 N. Main Street in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, with his father Albert, who was 32 years old at the time and who worked at a gravel plant, his mother Helen, who was 28 years old, and his sister Margaret, who was five years old. After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1949, Ted entered the United States Air Force in 1951. He was discharged in 1955 as an A1C (Airman First Class). (See his military service details at Ted L Willis: Military Service.) Ted spent his entire life living in Poplar Bluff, where he worked as a brick mason. There is no known record of his being married. In "Cop Some Loot," an episode from the American Pickers' fifteenth season, the Willis property was featured. In the bonus footage from "Another Brick in the Wall," Jeff discovered an old brick mill sitting on the eight acres of land and decided to sell some items to Mike and Frank in order to turn his profits into a preservation fund. To see the bonus footage, go to .
Floyd Calvin Willis was born to parents Daniel Earl Willis and Pamela Fern Marion. He had siblings Jimmy Willis, Martin Lee Willis, and Donya Willis.
Josie L Willis of Sarasota, Sarasota County, FL was born on August 9, 1916, and had a sibling Ella v. Anderson. She was married to Ollie B. Willis, and had children Joyce G Willis and Carol E. Seyed Rahmani. Josie Willis died at age 78 years old on September 13, 1994.
Leo Willis
Leo Willis was born on January 5, 1890. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Leo Willis.
Tara Hayley Michelle Willis was born on September 3, 2002 at NPMC in Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Tara Hayley Michelle Willis.
Bobbie Danielle Willis was born on November 16, 1994 to Floyd Calvin Willis and Marla Leanne Waddle, and has a sister Christina Elizabeth Willis. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Bobbie Danielle Willis.
Marcella (Gibson) Willis
She married George Washington Willis, and they had children LaFoy Paul Willis and Gary S Willis. She would also marry George Washington Willis, and they had children L Paul Willis, Elmer Willis, Delbert Willis, Frances (Willis) Wright, Naomi (Willis) Childress, Frank Willis, and Ruth Willis Crocker. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Marcella (Gibson) Willis.
William Willis was in a relationship with Emma Spong, and has a child Emma Willis Brimblecombe. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William Willis.
Harold Arthur Valentine Willis of Melbourne, VIC Australia was born on October 18, 1919 in Clifton Hill, City of Yarra County, and died at age 20 years old in 1939 in Melbourne.
Kenneth Willis of Niceville, Okaloosa County, Florida United States was born on June 25, 1950. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Kenneth Willis.
Roscoe W. Willis
Roscoe W. Willis of Check, Floyd County, VA was born on November 29, 1903, and died at age 85 years old on February 1, 1989.
Ruth (Stephens) Willis
I remember she used cook delicious Thanksgiving dinners, and invite the whole family over. She would awake every morning (after she retired as a school teacher) and would cook grits and bacon, while sitting on the edge of her bed watching the "The Price is Right". I love her.
Angela Michelle (Cooper) Willis was born on May 28, 1971 at St Joseph Hospital in Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas United States to Sanford Joseph Cooper and Affelene Ruth Ashley, and has a brother Carl Joseph Cooper. She married Floyd Calvin Willis, and they had children Cody Michael Willis, Mary Brenda Cheyenne Briner Willis, Jacob Isaac George Briner Willis, Sarah Ashlyn Noelani Willis, Tara Hayley Michelle Willis, and Isabella Ariel Michelle Jewell Willis. She married William Lewis Briner, and they had a child William Timothy Dale Briner. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Angela Michelle Willis.
SUSAN DELILAH GANN was born February 15, 1871 in Sebastian County, Arkansas, and died February 28, 1968 in Modesto, Stanislaus County,California. She was the daughter of William Vinyard Gann and Polly Bull Gann. She married WILLIAM P. WILLIS February 18, 1892 in Sebastian County, Arkansas, son of WILLIAM WILLIS and MARIAH MILLER. He died Unknown. Children of SUSAN GANN and WILLIAM WILLIS are: i. ALVA HERMAN WILLIS, b. June 09, 1897, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; d. July 19, 1958, Modesto, Stanislaus County,California. ii. AVA WILLIS, d. Unknown. iii. ALLA WILLIS, d. Unknown. iv. CYRIL WILLIS, d. Unknown.
Walter Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis, known widely as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and singer who rose to fame with his captivating on-screen presence, distinctive voice, and impressive versatility. Born on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, Willis embarked on a remarkable journey that would lead him to become one of Hollywood's most iconic action stars and a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Willis' early life was marked by his family's relocation to New Jersey, where he attended high school and later pursued a degree in drama at Montclair State University. After working in various odd jobs, he moved to New York City in the late 1970s to pursue acting professionally. Initially, his career began with stage performances and small television roles, including an appearance in the popular series "Miami Vice." However, Bruce Willis skyrocketed to fame when he landed the lead role of Detective David Addison in the hit television series "Moonlighting" (1985-1989). The show's success not only showcased his comedic flair but also hinted at his exceptional talent for action-oriented roles. In 1988, Willis's career reached new heights when he starred as John McClane in the blockbuster action film "Die Hard." The movie's enormous success firmly established him as a bonafide action star and led to a series of sequels, making John McClane an enduring character in cinema history.
William Chan Willis was born on July 2, 1972 in Arizona United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William Chan Willis.
I have no memories but he is not forgotten in my family. He was not born in the Netherlands actually in England.

Sarah Ashlyn Noelani Willis of Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas United States was born on September 3, 2002 at NPMC in Hot Springs to Angela Michelle Willis and Floyd Calvin Willis. She had siblings Tara Hayley Michelle Willis, Isabella Ariel Michelle Jewell Willis, Cody Michael Willis, Mary Brenda Cheyenne Briner Willis, and Jacob Isaac George Briner Willis. Sarah Ashlyn Willis died at age 19 years old on June 27, 2022 at Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Pulaski County.
Jill Crystal Still
Jill Crystal (Still) Willis of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona United States was born on March 3, 1976 in Nevada, Vernon County, MO. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Jill Crystal Still.
Richard Gifford Willis
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Richard Gifford Willis.

Willis Death Records & Life Expectancy

The average age of a Willis family member is 70.0 years old according to our database of 45,865 people with the last name Willis that have a birth and death date listed.

Life Expectancy

70.0 years

Oldest Willises

These are the longest-lived members of the Willis family on AncientFaces.

Berta Willis of Louisa, Louisa County, VA was born on January 4, 1880, and died at age 111 years old on February 21, 1991.
111 years
Mary Willis of Ambler, Montgomery County, PA was born on January 4, 1871, and died at age 109 years old in September 1980.
109 years
George Willis of Sledge, Tunica County, MS was born on August 5, 1889, and died at age 108 years old on October 6, 1997.
108 years
Stella B Willis of Saint Louis, Saint Louis City County, MO was born on February 22, 1883, and died at age 108 years old in November 1991.
108 years
Grace Willis of Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina was born on January 29, 1900, and died at age 108 years old on July 15, 2008.
108 years
Mattie B Willis of Sturgis, Union County, KY was born on August 11, 1887, and died at age 108 years old in September 1995.
108 years
Lillie Willis of Hallsville, Harrison County, Texas was born on June 20, 1874, and died at age 106 years old in January 1981.
106 years
Eva Willis of Desoto, Dallas County, Texas was born on October 20, 1901, and died at age 106 years old on March 13, 2008.
106 years
Elizabeth J Willis of Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL was born on August 1, 1887, and died at age 107 years old on December 29, 1994.
107 years
Josephine P Willis of Louisville, Jefferson County, KY was born on April 4, 1899, and died at age 106 years old on February 10, 2006.
106 years
Rose Willis of Wayne, Passaic County, NJ was born on September 5, 1883, and died at age 106 years old on September 11, 1989.
106 years
Clara Willis of Dover, Kent County, Delaware was born on July 1, 1881, and died at age 105 years old in February 1987.
105 years
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My name is Jason Ulysses Willis the son of George Thomas Willis JR. we were both born in San Diego, Ca. My grand father name is George Thomas Willis too, he had left my father and sister Margret June Willis when they wer kids. I heard he had moved to Idaho, Minn. Wisconsin area. My dad and Aunt were born Feb. 9, 1947 and July ? 1948 or 49. If anyone has any info I would love to hear it. I always wanted to know if I had more cousins out there.
The Life and Times Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. & Julia Ann Graham Willis

by Randy Willis
[contact link]
www.randywillis.org


He was born April 2, 1839 and died May 22, 1900 She was born February 22, 1845 and died September 28, 1936 They married on January 5, 1867 in Forest Hill, La. Both are buried in the Graham Cemetery, Forest Hill, La.


Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was the eldest son of Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. (b. Dec. 28, 1817; d. Mar. 27, 1887) and Anna Slaughter (b. May 29, 1820; d. Mar. 24, 1876). Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. was the son of Agerton Willis and Sophie Story. He was born on Bayou Boeuf in Louisiana and is buried, along with his wife Anna Slaughter Willis, at Amiable Baptist Church Cemetery near Glenmora, La. He established many churches and was blind the last 22 years of his life. His daughter would read the scriptures and he would preach. He settled on Spring Creek, near Longleaf, La., at a community called Babb’s Bridge.

Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was also, a great-grandson of pioneer Louisiana Baptist preacher, Rev. Joseph Willis (b. circa 1758; d. Sept. 14, 1854). He was the first Baptist preacher west of the Mississippi River.

Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr.'s siblings were: Eliza Willis, Mary Jane Willis, David Willis, Martha Willis, Matthew Willis, Dempsey Willis, Calvin Willis, and Robert Willis. Daniel was raised near Sugartown, La. and then settled on Barber Creek near Longleaf, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

Julia Ann Graham Willis was the daughter of Robert Graham (b. Aug. 20, 1818; d. Feb. 10, 1890) and Ruth Smith (b. Dec. 5, 1813 d. Jun. 2, 1869). Robert Graham moved to Louisiana from Texas in 1841. Soon after marring Ruth Smith (a trapper's daughter) in Natchitoches, La., they moved to Forest Hill, La. He was a successful farmer and cattleman there. Ruth had told Robert that she wished to be buried at the top of a hill on their land near Forest Hill. She was and that hill is known today as the Graham Cemetery. Robert Graham's father was William Graham. Robert Graham had two brothers: another William Graham and Samuel Graham. Robert and Ruth Graham are both buried at the Graham Cemetery.

Julia Ann Graham Willis' siblings were: Annie Graham Willis, Emily Graham Butter, Maggie Graham Willis, Demerius Graham Willis, Elizabeth Graham Merchant, Katherine Graham Sermons, Lucy "Ruth" Graham Moore, William Graham, and Lorenzo Dow Graham.

Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. married Julia Ann Graham on, January 5, 1867, soon after the end of the Civil War.

Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. in the Civil War

Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. enlisted, September 29, 1861, at Camp Moore, La., in the Confederate Army as a Pvt. 5th. Company Battalion, Washington Artillery of Louisiana. He was (Mar. 16, 1864) in Raxdale's Company E, 16th. La. Regiment, Gibson's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. He was promoted to 2nd Sergt. on Mar. 5, 1865. He was captured and made a prisoner of war. Daniel was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi on May 14, 1865. (Also see Andrew B. Booth, "Records of Louisiana Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands," (New Orleans, La. 1920) Vol. I: 1115)

Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. fought in many of the great battles of the Civil War, including Shiloh, Bull Run, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga.

Excerpts from Daniel H. Willis, Jr.'s obituary: Alexandria Town Talk, 23 June 1900: "He participated in all the hard battles of that army and for bravery, soldierly bearing, discipline and devotion to duty, he was unexcelled in his entire Brigade. He was made Orderly Sergeant of his Company at an early period of the war. It has always been said by his surviving comrades that when any particularly dangerous service was required, such as scouting parties to ascertain the position and movements of the enemy, he was always selected for the place, and never hesitated to go, let the danger be what it may.

He was for a long time connected with the famous Washington Artillery, and at the battle of Chicamauga so many horses of the battery to which he was attached were killed that they had to pull the guns off the field by hand to keep them from falling in the hands of the enemy.

He was paroled at Meridian, Miss., in May of 1865, and brought home with him a copy of General Gibson's farewell address to his soldiers and of him it can be truly said that through the remaining years of his life he followed the advice then given by his beloved commander.

His love for the Southern cause, and for the men who wore the gray, was not dimmed by years, but he lived and died firmly convinced of the justice of the cause for which the South poured out so much of her best blood and treasure...Before death he expressed a wish that he might see his children who were at home, especially Randall L., his baby boy, whom he had named in honor of his beloved Brigadier General, Randall Lee Gibson. He also requested that his Confederate badge be pinned on his breast and buried with him."

Gibson, later helped establish Tulane University and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1883. I was named after my grandfather, Randall Lee Willis, who was named after Randall Lee Gibson, in 1886. Current, ed., "Encyclopedia of the Confederacy" (also see "Army of Tennessee Louisiana Division The Association and Tumulus" by Jerry Johnson Wier, The Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1999).

Can You Feed Her Son?

Soon after the Civil War, Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr., became the first of four Willis’ brothers to marry four Graham’ sisters. He married Julia Ann Graham on January 5, 1867. (Daniel called her affectingly Julieann). When Daniel asked Julia Ann's father, Robert Graham, for her hand in marriage; Robert asked him if he could feed her. Daniel replied "that he had a horse, a milk cow, a barrel of corn and a barrel of molasses." Robert responded "my goodness son you have enough to marry several of my daughters." They were married at Robert Graham's home near Forest Hill.

Later, three of Daniel's brothers would marry three of Julia Ann's sisters. Calvin Willis married Demerius Graham , Robert Willis married Annie Graham and Dempsey Willis married Maggie Graham. A fifth brother, Matthew Willis, also asked a fifth sister, Lucy "Ruth" Graham, to marry him. She said no and later confided in her sisters, "he was just too ugly." Ruth Graham later found her true love, James Moore, and married him.

Daniel made good his promise to "feed" Julia Ann and on January 16, 1868 (just a year after their wedding) he sold his father-in-law, Robert Graham, 119 acres "in the fork of Barber Creek," for $350.00. A sum that would have been a years wages for many at that time. When Daniel died, in 1900, he left Julia Ann, $35,000.00 in gold, a home, land, and the woods full of cows, on Barber Creek, near Longleaf.


The Law, Cattle, Barber Creek & Home

After the end of Civil War, in 1865, Daniel H. Willis. Jr., was made Constable of Spring Hill, Rapides Parish. Julia Ann often spoke of the time Daniel captured an outlaw from Texas who was hid out in the piney woods of Louisiana. She said it was to late to make the horseback trip to the jail, in Alexandria, therefore Daniel handcuffed the outlaw to the foot of their bed for the overnight stay. Daniel told the outlaw he better not make a sound. She said Daniel slept soundly, but she did not sleep a wink all night.

He later was a successful rancher. He and his sons would buy cattle in East Texas and then drive them to the railroad at Lecompte, La. to be shipped north. Once, on a cattle drive from Texas, in 1898, the cattle stampeded in the woods. My grandfather

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