Christopher Lewis
Willis passed away peacefully on February 13, 2020.
He was born
November 30, 1951, in Peoria, IL, the first and beloved child of Martha L.
Willis and Russell A. Willis, both of whom preceded him in death.
He was a graduate
of Portage High School in 1969, where he was active in the drama department
and played baritone in the band. He graduated from Indiana University,
Bloomington, earning a degree in the Theater Arts. He worked in many fields
in his life -- as a home improvement store manager in Fort Wayne, as a
theater manager in Columbia City, IN, as a theater lighting technician in
Indianapolis, in computer programming and teaching at the Crane Division of
the Navy Surface Warfare Center at Bloomington, IN and as a computer network
analyst for an international industrial glass company. He retired early and
aided in the care of his mother for many years. He was a caring mentor for
his nieces as they navigated higher education and he aided his siblings when
they were in need. He lived many places, held numerous and varied positions,
enjoyed traveling the world and was a chess enthusiast. He loved cats and
always had a feline companion. In recent years he liked to bake oatmeal
cookies and present boxes of cookies to friends and relations.
He is survived by
his four siblings, Russell A. Willis, III (Lisa Sagrati), of Tucson,
Arizona; Lucius S. Willis (MaryBeth), of Vestal, N.Y.; Margaret L. Willis
(David Canright), of Chesterton, and Edward H. Willis (Marc Molomot), of
Bronx, N.Y.
Also surviving are
his nieces, Ahilya M. Willis, Vaishali F. Willis, Abigail M. Willis Canright,
Sarah Austrin-Willis, and his nephew Benjamin Austrin-Willis, along with
many cousins.
Per his wishes
there will be no services. Arrangements are being handled by White-Love
Funeral Home, Chesterton.