Ronald Willis Obituary

WILLIS, Ronald Ronald Lee Ron Willis, 60, of Moncks Corner, SC, a retired CHIEF NUCLEAR TEST ENGINEER at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and in Norfolk, VA, died Sunday at the Medical University of South Carolina. A celebration of life will be held 6:00 PM Saturday evening, July 19, 2008, at the Overton Fire Department. Friends may visit the family at the fire department from 5:00 PM until the hour of service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association at PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA, 22312 or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at 383 Main Ave., 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT, 06851. Arrangements by DIAL-MURRAY FUNERAL HOME, MONCKS CORNER. Ron was born September 18, 1947 in Norwich, Connecticut to the late Robert Lee Willis and Natalie Hoagland Willis and lived in various Eastern Connecticut towns before attending Southern Connecticut State College. He joined the United States Navy November 29, 1968, and served aboard the USS Seawolf SSN-575 and the USS George Bancroft SSBN-643. Ron took the path of Nuclear Power and graduated from Submarine School, Basic Electrical and Electronics School and Nuclear Power School while in the Navy. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War. He was ranked as an EM2 (SS) Electricians Mate Second Class Submarine Qualified before he was honorably discharged from the Navy on November 5, 1974. After leaving the Navy, Ron took a civil job with the Department of Defense which ultimately brought him to the Charleston Naval Shipyard as an Engineering Technician in January 1975. He climbed the ranks over the years and held titles including Shift Nuclear Test Engineer, Assistant Chief Nuclear Test Nuclear Engineer and finally left Charleston Naval Shipyard as a Chief Nuclear Test Engineer, GS 14, in 1996. Over the 31 years he spent in Charleston, he was responsible for the acceptance testing of nuclear reactors and overhauling boats before they were sent back out to sea. Ron relocated to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia upon Charleston's closing where he was the Superintendent of the Nuclear Special Emphasis Project until he retired on January 3, 2003. Upon his retirement, Ron returned to the Charleston, SC area. He lived in Moncks Corner with his wife, Sue. To keep himself active, he took a job with Legend Oaks Golf Club in Summerville and quickly became known as Pro Shop Ron. He loved the work, the social activity, and, most of all, the people at Legend Oaks. He was a member of the Submarine Veterans Association, the National Association of Superintendents of U.S. Naval Shore Establishments and had held numerous officer positions of the Overton Civic Association. In his free time, Ron enjoyed golfing, fishing, riding jet skis, refinishing antiques, traveling, listening and dancing to his favorite music, and telling funny stories. Surviving are his wife, Sue Grady Willis; his mother, Natalie Hoagland Willis of Westbrook, CT; a daughter, Linley Elizabeth Willis of Charlotte, NC; two step daughters, Jennifer Green of San Francisco, CA, and Kimberly Pearce of Ponca City, OK; two step sons, Zachary Miller of Summerville and Jake Slade of Charleston; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary Lee and Pat Willis of Chesapeake, VA, and Richard Lee and Debbie Willis of Old Lyme, CT; four step grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews. Ron will be incredibly missed by his family and friends, especially those he made in the Overton neighborhood and Legend Oaks Golf Club. He will be fondly remembered and will remain forever in the hearts of his friends and family. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.-dial-murrayfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jul. 16 to Jul. 18, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Willis

14 Entries

Larry and Libby Strukely

July 20, 2008

Ron came to CNSY in 1975. From the start of his career at "the yard" he brought light and laughter to a group of people doing a tough job. This trait was recognized and appreciated by all who met him. Libby and I will miss him and remember him always. We wish his family and friends all the best and want them to know that Ron was well loved by his shipyard friends.

Joel Doobrow

July 18, 2008

Phyllis and I are saddened to learn of Ron's passing. I was elated to reconnect with him at Legend Oaks after his return to Charleston. The many years we worked the tough job together at Test Engineering at the shipyard gave me great respect for Ron and an appreciation for his humor and wit. No matter how bad things were at any given moment, Ron had some words that put a laugh in the air. Our condolences go to all of Ron's family. Ron will be missed.

Tom Wunder

July 18, 2008

It was a shock to hear of Ron's passing. When things at work were not progressing as they should be and the light at the end of the tunnel was a locomotive coming right at you, Ron with his great sense of humor and wit could turn the situation around and get the project out of the doldrums! He will be missed. Sue my prayers are with you and Ron. God bless you!
Tom & Joyce Wunder

Dave Menefee

July 17, 2008

Was deeply saddened upon learning of Ron's passing. I will always remember the many good times we shared as friends and co-workers. My deepest sympathies to the family.

Donald & Jeanne Hoagland

July 17, 2008

Aunt Natalie & Family
There are no words to ease your pain at a time like this. Take comfort in knowing that our prayers are with you now.

Linley Willis

July 17, 2008

My Dad, Ron Willis, "R L the Willis," was an amazing man. Even up until the last moment of his life, he was thinking of others. He waited until my little brothers, my step mom and I were all at his side before he let go.

Words could never truly capture what an especially beautiful human being he was. I can say with confidence that if you ever knew him, you loved him. He could make anyone chuckle and had the ability to make everyone feel special. His laughter was contagious and his humor infectious. Always the life of any event.

The world lost a special man this past Sunday. I am so happy that I was able to be his daughter and can say that I know how much he loved me and was proud of me.

He was my best friend. My rock. My world. I will love and honor his memory the rest of my days.

Maria & Charlie Greco

July 17, 2008

Ron's humor and warm heart will always be missed, but fondly remembered. Our prayers and sympathy is extended to all his familly and friends.

Leroy and Linda Luckie

July 17, 2008

Ron was certainly one of the most valuable and dedicated members of the Nuclear Test Engineering Division and Nuclear Engineering Department. He also was a very good person that would fill a room with laughter with some of his antics. For the past 15 years I have told many of the funny stories Ron was involved in with his many co-workers and test engineering friends. He will be missed greatly but his hard work, dedication and his funny side will be remembered always. Linda and I extend to the family our most heartfelt sympathies and our prayers in the loss of Ron.

Bill and Judy Brasel

July 17, 2008

Ron has been a very dear friend to us for many years. He always had a loving smile for everyone.He could brighten anyone's day. He will remain in our heartsforever.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family.

Nell and Ray Crenshaw

July 16, 2008

We knew Ron from playing golf at Legend Oaks. He and I discussed our knee replacement often. We are so sorry to hear of his passing and we send his family our sincere sympanthy and prayers. Nell and Ray Crenshaw

Harry Hodges

July 16, 2008

Very sorry to hear about Ron's passing. Ron had some outstanding accomplishments; among them was his sense of humor (continuous) and a catalyst for those who were on his team at the shipyard. Only the good die young; guess that certainly applies with Ron. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. God bless you all.

Maija Freivalds

July 16, 2008

Linley, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

Erwin Heins

July 16, 2008

It is with sorrow that I learned of Ron's passing. He and I had some good times together both on the job and off. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Keith & Judy Schnebel

July 16, 2008

Sorry for your loss. Ron has been a good friend co-worker for many years. He'll be terribly missed.

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