Pike-Lamar County GaArchives Obituaries.....Willis, William H. February 23 1922
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Lynn Cunningham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002535 September 25, 2004, 9:01 am

Barnesville News Gazette, March 2, 1922
Brave Confederate Soldier Finally Surrenders

Mr. W.H. Willis, familiarly referred to by hundreds of friends throughout this 
section whenever they spoke of him as "Bill Willis," for the first time in his 
life surrendered Thursday morning of last week when Death commanded him to halt 
and stop the battle of life. Peacefully, and on his 79th birthday, in the 
presence of loved ones, he “passed over the river to rest under the shade of 
the trees” to be with the immortal officers and comrades of the Confederacy, 
whom he so much loved and with whom he had participated in making a record 
unparalleled in the history of the world. In the history of the Confederate 
army there are countless records of brave men and heroic 
deeds but it is probably true that no braver or truer soldier ever donned the 
grey uniform than Mr. Willis. He appeared to be absolutely without fear and his 
love for the cause of the Confederacy was supreme.

He went into the Confederate service in Gibson's Battery, which was named in 
honor of Col. Obadiah Gibson, a lawyer of this vicinity, who secured the 
enlistments composing the battery. On the death of Col. Gibson the name was 
changed to Scrogin’s battery in honor of its new commander. At the battle of 
Chickamauga Mr. Willis was severely wounded and it was thought by his comrades 
that he was mortally wounded, but he was rescued and finally recovered.

After  the war Mr. Willis returned to Barnesville where he had since made his 
home, being one of the city’s best known citizens. He was always in a good 
humor and ready to play a joke on his friends whenever opportunity offered. For 
a number of years he was chief of police the city and made an excellent 
officer. He always discharged his duties faithfully and fearlessly. He was 
familiar with the history of Barnesville in its early days and could tell in 
detail many of the incidents connected with its history of those days.

Exciting times followed immediately after the war and so far as this community 
was concerned Mr. Willis was one of the chief actors connected with them and 
the bravery and fearlessness which characterized him during the war were 
evident in his life during the reconstruction period and since.

Mr. Willis’ health began to fall some few years ago and during the past two or 
three years he has failed rapidly. During the past year he was barely able to 
get around town, although he still retained very largely his old spirit and in 
his physical weakness he was yet ready to play his pranks in the effort to have 
his fun.

In many respects Mr. Willis was a remarkable man and we shall not too soon see 
his like again. He was a good citizen, a staunch friend, an affectionate 
husband and father and his going is sincerely. mourned.

The funeral service was held at the home of his son, Dr. C.H. Willis, on 
Thomaston street Friday morning at 10:30 o’clock and was conducted by Rev. H.L. 
Edmondson, pastor of the First Methodist church, in which the family are 
devoted and honored members. The body was laid away in the Greenwood cemetery.

Mr. Willis is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Erle Cline of 
California, Dr. C.H. Willis of Barnesville, Rev. Hubert Willis, a presiding 
elder of the Texas Methodist conference, and Mr. W.W. Willis of California.

The people of the community extend tender sympathy to all the bereaved loved 
ones.

Transcribed 9/24/04 Lynn Cunningham

Additional Comments:
At Greenwood Cemetery:
Willis, W.H., b. 23 Feb 1843, d. 23 Feb 1922
Willis, Fannie Dumas, b. 4 May 1846, d. 2 Apr 1936

From copy obtained at Old Jail Museum and Archives, Barnesville Georgia. 
Compiled by Shanna English.

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