Raymond C. Willis Jr., of Mentor, put his weariness behind him and found peace on Oct. 9, 2021.
On Nov. 20, 1942, he was the first born of Raymond C. Willis Sr. and Kathryn (nee Turner) Oaks in Parkersburg, W. Va.
His childhood taught him to be resourceful and he could identify edible plants, berries and tree nuts, and hunt, fish and fix most things. That which Cecil couldn’t fix, he would likely still hold onto, thinking one day he would figure it out.
He graduated from Burton High School in 1962.
He went by Cecil with his family, but Ray as he moved beyond high school.
Cecil and Jacqueline (nee Cherny) eloped to Monroe, Mich., and married on Aug. 19, 1962, and lived with his grandmother, Bernice Turner, in Parkersburg, as he began attending Ohio Valley Community College. He dropped the community college to attend the American Baking Institute in Chicago, Ill., earning a degree that led to a job offer by Kroger Bakery in St. Louis, Mo.
By now the young family included a daughter, Jeanette Marie, and a son, Eugene Allan. Cecil and Jackie worked hard to make a good life for their kids that included camping, fishing, hunting and boating whenever time would allow. In 1978, they returned to Ohio to be near family.
Cecil/Ray is survived by his wife and companion of almost 59 years, Jackie; his children Jeanette (Jamie) Russell and Gene {Debbie) Willis; his grandchildren, Zachary Riley, Allison Willis, Joshua Riley, Amanda Willis, Courtney (Zach) Willa, Kyle (Peyton) Willa, Charles (Anna) Russell and Margaret Russell; six great-grandchildren; and brother Steve (Kim) Willis.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Ron Willis, Dale Willis, Karen Andel and Jeni Winters.
Private interment will be held at a later date.
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