Chesley Willis

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Chesley K. Willis, 84, of Olive Branch died at 2:52 a.m. Saturday Feb. 12, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born in Miller City, Ill., on Oct. 31, 1926, the youngest son of Frank J. and Lydia Kirstein Willis. He married Cecile Hopkins who preceded him in death in 2006.

He was a retired farmer and owner-operator of the former Willis Hunting Club in Miller City. He was a former sheriff of Alexander County.

He was of the Methodist faith and was a member of the Pulaski-Alexander County Farm Bureau, Cairo Elks Lodge No. 651, Alexander-Pulaski Sportsmen Club and the Illinois Sheriffs Association. He was a founding member of the Central Alexander County Public Water District Board.

Mr. Willis is survived by his son, Mark (Shirley) Willis of Olive Branch; two daughters, Paula (Stephen W.) Thomas of Miller City and Nancy (Eugene) Kline of Thebes, Ill.; one grandson, Tyler Kline of Olive Branch; a great-granddaughter, Greer Thomas of Olive Branch; and other relatives.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Todd Thomas; three brothers; two sisters; and other relatives.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Barkett Funeral Home Eighth Street Chapel in Cairo, Ill.

Graveside funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Olive Branch Cemetery, with the Revs. Verlee Eaker and Gene Hart officiating. Interment will follow.