Charles R. Willis

Published in the Daytona Beach News-Journal on 7/19/2009

Charles R. Willis-native Georgian, Army veteran, minor-league baseball pitcher, electrician, union rep, chaser of shrimp in the river, mullet in the surf, birdies on the course, and trifectas at the track-died Saturday at age 80.

Charlie was born on Aug. 27, 1928 in Donalsonville, Ga.

After serving in the Army from 1946-48, he played minor-league baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization for three years before shoulder problems made him an electrician.

He moved to Florida in the late 1950s, and due to his love of the ocean and Halifax River, and a mid-life infatuation with year-round golf, he never left.

After working as an electrician and lineman, and serving as an official in the local IBEW offices (he was an IBEW member for over 50 years), he served out his working days as a Southeast U.S. field rep for the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Charlie's survivors include two daughters, Deborah Neviaser (and husband Budd) of New Smyrna Beach and Patricia Willis of South Daytona; sons, Richard of Casselberry, Kenneth (and wife Maureen) of Port Orange. He also had six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Also, he is survived by a brother, Jimmie Willis, of Warner Robbins, Ga.; and a sister, Carolyn McLeod, of Donalsonville, Ga.

Memorial donations may be made to Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.