Bryan Willis

ESSEX—Bryan L. Willis, 58, of Essex, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born Jan. 8, 1965 in Joliet, he was the son of Coy Eugene and Ernie Marie (nee Tkachik) Willis. He was a graduate of the Reed-Custer High School with the class of 1983. He married Dana Flint on Nov. 4, 1989 in Custer Park. Together they raised four wonderful children. Bryan was a union Cement Mason for Local #11 since 1989, currently employed with Martin Cement in Romeoville, IL. He was a devout believer in Jesus and worshipped regularly at the Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington.
He was an NRA member and an avid outdoorsman, spending his time hunting and fishing. His favorite time of the year was late fall, where he spent weekends in Southern Illinois, deer hunting. Bryan often said his time spent in the wilderness is where he felt closest to God. Above all, his wife and children were the loves of his life. He enjoyed coaching his children in various sports and going on unforgettable family vacations. He was proud of each one of his children and their own individual accomplishments. If you met Bryan, you knew how great of a person he was, he truly never met a stranger, and had a love for life.
Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Dana (nee Flint) Willis, of Essex; four children: Bryan “Dubbie” Willis II, Jacob Coy Willis and Allison Marie Willis, all of Essex and Austin Matthew Willis, of Gardner; one sister, Tammy (Devin) Dransfeldt, of Custer Park; three brothers: Stacey (Amy) Willis, of Braidwood; Todd (Trixie) Willis, of Braidwood and Richard (Christie) Willis, of Channahon; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends; mother-in-law, Virginia Flint, of Salem, MO; brothers-in-law, Carl (Traci) Flint and Robert (Carol) Flint, both of Salem, MO; sisters-in-law, Jackie (Harold) Billings, of Salem, MO; Rebecca Flint, of Vandalia, MO and Melanie (Tracy) Wilkerson, of Reddick and beloved grand-puppy, Juneau.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Coy and Ernie Willis and father-in-law, Melvin Flint.
Visitation for Bryan will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, Braidwood, Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services will also be at the funeral home, Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Wesley Township Cemetery in Ritchie, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be directed to Samaritan's Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org.
For more information and to visit his online guestbook, please log on to www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com.
R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood is in charge of arrangements.