Bennett Talmadge Willis, Jr.

Bennett Talmadge Willis, Jr., 56, of Johns Island, husband of Leize Glover Willis entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett T. Willis are invited to attend his Funeral Service at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Burial will follow in Holy Spirit Catholic Churchyard, 3871 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy., Johns Island. Ben was born December 30, 1960 in Athens, GA, the son of Bennett Talmadge Willis, Sr. and LeVonne Vera Zess. Ben graduated from Sewanee in 1982, majoring in French, and serving as a member of the Order of Gownsmen -an academic honor society, which functioned as one house of the bicameral student legislature. He was a devoted member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and the Black Ribbon Society. He also served with distinction on the University Concert Series Committee and the Sewanee Popular Music Association. Beloved by his classmates, the faculty, and the entire community, he took particular pleasure in being a genteel host for gatherings both raucous and refined. Ben practiced law for over 20 years.He is survived by his wife, Leize Glover Willis, and Robert Bennett, the love of his life. He is also survived by his father, Bennett Talmadge Willis, Sr.; two brothers, Roy Zess Willis (Beth) of Montgomery, AL and Hayden Lee Willis (Jena) of Moultrie, GA, and mulitiple nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Nativity School, 1125 Pittsford Circle, Charleston, SC 29412 or Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3871 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy., Johns Island, SC 29455.