Mr. Grafton S. "Gramp" Willis

November 6, 1924 - October 18, 2010

VETRAN Grafton S. Willis Grafton S. “Gramp” Willis passed quietly from this life to his heavenly home on a beautiful fall Monday morning, October 18, 2010, at the home he shared with his beloved wife Doris for 59 of the 62 years of their married life. He was surrounded with the love of his family. He died on Doris’ birthday and that of his late sister, Vernice F. Shiver. Funeral services will be held at Sylvester Lighthouse Church of God on Wednesday, October 20th at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Ronnie Howell and Reverend Jesse Hathaway officiating. Interment will follow at Shingler Cemetery. The family will be at the home of Vickie and Billy Young, 165 Billy Young Road, Sumner GA. Serving as Pallbearers will be grandsons and great grandsons Chris, Garet, and Jaime Young, Jeffrey Young, Eric Vaglienti, Aubrey Willis, Randall Willis, Daniel Willis, Nathan Douglas, Jason Parrish, Jarvis Parrish, and Justin Parrish. Grafton was born in Jefferson County, Florida on November 6, 1924, to the late George and Ethel Slocomb Willis, his mother dying when he was 2 years old. He was preceded in death by his sisters Vernice F. Shiver and Susie Harris of Sylvester; brothers Frank Willis and Wallace Willis of Lakeland, Florida and Earl Willis of Monticello, Florida; and his stepmother, Maybell Parker Willis of Sylvester. Grafton lived most of his life in Worth County. He was raised in the Damascus community and worked alongside his daddy, brothers, and sisters on their small farm. He attended Willis School where he was sweet on a little girl called Doris. He went on to make her his wife and partner. He was a lifetime sportsman who loved to hunt so much that as a young boy he worked all week to earn 50 cents to buy gun shells. His children remember eating fried quail every Thursday night during the winter months. He loved to fish, especially with his beloved sister “Vernt.” To him, there was nothing more relaxing than reading a good western novel, unless it was watching a good western movie or TV program. He enjoyed gospel, country, and bluegrass music. Grafton served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 127th Infantry Regiment on the Pacific island of Luzon. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Sylvester Lighthouse Church of God. He was an automotive body repairman and painter. He owned and operated “Gramp’s Body Shop,” and “Car Care of Sylvester” along with the late Everett Clayton. He worked many years at “Bryan and Jordan Paint & Body Shop” until his retirement at the age of 80. As recent as 2 months ago, he went to the “shop” for a cup of coffee and to talk to the boys. He took pride in his work and loved it, too. He recently told his pastor, Reverend Jesse Hathaway whose family car had been in a fender bender that “I could fix that!” He lived his life with quiet dignity and never had a harsh word for anyone. He loved his God, his family, his home, and his many friends and was loved in return. He was as fine a fellow as anyone could ever ask to meet and was indeed part of the “Greatest Generation.” He is survived by his devoted wife, Doris Lamb Willis; 6 children – Vickie W. and Billy Young of Shingler Community, Theresa W. and Bob Vaglienti of Isabella, Wendell G. and Ann Willis of Isabella, Clari W. and Delbert Douglas of Sumner, Cynthia W. and Larry Parrish of Sylvester, and Tony D. and Janet Willis of Sycamore; Niece Glenda F. Shiver Birdashaw of Sylvester; a dear friend Elaine Douglas of Sumner; 15 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Banks Funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. For those desiring, memorials may be made to Margaret Jones Public Library, 205 East Pope St., Sylvester, GA 31791 or Sylvester Lighthouse Church of God, 606 Hwy 112 North, Sylvester, GA 31791. Sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com Banks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.