Willis (Coahoma County, MS)

Notable Births & Deaths for Willis ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Willis. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

James Carr (Singer)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for James Carr<1>
- He was born in Clarksdale (MS) on June 13, 1942 (a Saturday) and died in Memphis (TN) on January 7, 2001 (a Sunday).
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Memphis is located in Shelby County, Tennessee.
- At the time of his death, he was 58.
- He is buried at New Park Cemetery, which is located in Shelby County, Tennessee.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for New Park Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to New Park Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to New Park Cemetery
Otis Clay (Singer)
- Full name: Otis Lee Clay
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Otis Clay<1>
- He was born in Waxhaw (MS) on February 11, 1942 (a Wednesday) and died in Chicago (IL) on January 8, 2016 (a Friday).
- Waxhaw is located in Bolivar County and is 18 miles [29 km] to the southwest of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 73.
- He is buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Oak Woods Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Oak Woods Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Oak Woods Cemetery
Sam Cooke (Singer, songwriter)
- Born: Samuel Cook
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Sam Cooke<1>
- He was born in Clarksdale (MS) on January 22, 1931 (a Thursday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on December 11, 1964 (a Friday).
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 33.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
William Reaves Eason (Director)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for William Reaves Eason<1>
- He was born in Friars Point (MS) on October 2, 1886 (a Saturday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on June 9, 1956 (a Saturday).
- Friars Point is located 18 miles [29 km] to the northeast of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 69.
- He is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Hollywood Forever Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Luke Easter (Professional baseball)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Luke Easter<1>
- He was born in Jonestown (MS) on August 4, 1915 (a Wednesday) and died in Euclid (OH) on March 29, 1979 (a Thursday).
- Jonestown is located 23 miles [37 km] to the northeast of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Euclid is located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
- At the time of his death, he was 63.
- He is buried at Highland Park Cemetery, which is located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Highland Park Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Highland Park Cemetery
Frank Otis Frost (Musician)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frank Otis Frost<1>
- He was born in Auvergne (AR) on April 15, 1936 (a Wednesday) and died in Helena (AR) on October 12, 1999 (a Tuesday).
- Auvergne is located in Jackson County, Arkansas.
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- At the time of his death, he was 63.
- He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery, located 30 miles [48.3 km] to the north northeast of Willis. The cemetery is located in Phillips County, Arkansas.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Magnolia Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Magnolia Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Magnolia Cemetery
Red Holloway (Jazz musician)
- Born: James Wesley Holloway
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Red Holloway<1>
- He was born in Helena (AR) on May 31, 1927 (a Tuesday) and died in San Luis Obispo (CA) on February 25, 2012 (a Saturday).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 84.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Earl Zebedee Hooker (Musician)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Earl Zebedee Hooker<1>
- He was born in Clarksdale (MS) on January 15, 1930 (a Wednesday) and died in Chicago (IL) on April 21, 1970 (a Tuesday).
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 40.
- He is buried at Restvale Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Restvale Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Restvale Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Restvale Cemetery
Eddie James 'Son' House, Jr. (Musician)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Eddie James 'Son' House, Jr.<1>
- He was born in Lyon (MS) on March 21, 1902 (a Friday) and died in Detroit (MI) on October 19, 1988 (a Wednesday).
- Lyon is located 15 miles [24.1 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Detroit is located in Wayne County, Michigan.
- At the time of his death, he was 86.
- He is buried at Mt. Hazel Cemetery, which is located in Wayne County, Michigan.
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Hazel Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Mt. Hazel Cemetery
Robert Nighthawk (Musician)
- Born: Robert Lee McCollum
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Robert Nighthawk<1>
- He was born in Helena (AR) on November 30, 1909 (a Tuesday) and died in Helena (AR) on November 5, 1967 (a Sunday).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- At the time of his death, he was 58.
- He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery, located 30 miles [48.3 km] to the north northeast of Willis. The cemetery is located in Phillips County, Arkansas.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Magnolia Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Magnolia Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Magnolia Cemetery
Eddie Perkins (Professional boxer)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Eddie Perkins<1>
- He was born in Clarksdale (MS) on March 3, 1937 (a Wednesday) and died in Chicago (IL) on May 10, 2012 (a Thursday).
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 75.
- He is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Mt. Hope Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Hope Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Mt. Hope Cemetery
Mack Rice (Singer, songwriter)
- Born: Bonny Rice
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Mack Rice<1>
- He was born in Clarksdale (MS) on November 10, 1933 (a Friday) and died in Detroit (MI) on June 27, 2016 (a Monday).
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- Detroit is located in Wayne County, Michigan.
- At the time of his death, he was 82.
Bessie Smith (Musician)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Bessie Smith<1>
- She was born in Chattanooga (TN) on April 15, 1894 (a Sunday) and died in Clarksdale (MS) on September 26, 1937 (a Sunday).
- Chattanooga is located in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- At the time of her death, she was 43.
- She is buried at Mt. Lawn Cemetery, which is located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Mt. Lawn Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Lawn Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Mt. Lawn Cemetery
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith (Musician)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith<1>
- He was born in Helena (AR) on January 19, 1936 (a Sunday) and died in Chicago (IL) on September 16, 2011 (a Friday).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 75.
- He is buried at Restvale Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Restvale Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Restvale Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Restvale Cemetery
Cleotha 'Cleedi' Stamples (Singer)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Cleotha 'Cleedi' Stamples<1>
- She was born in Drew (MS) on April 11, 1934 (a Wednesday) and died in Chicago (IL) on February 21, 2013 (a Thursday).
- Drew is located in Sunflower County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of her death, she was 78.
- She is buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Oak Woods Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Oak Woods Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Oak Woods Cemetery
Ike Turner (Musician, bandlead, songwriter, producer, talent scout)
- Born: Izear Luster Turner, Jr.
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Ike Turner<1>
- He was born in Clarksdale (MS) on November 5, 1931 (a Thursday) and died in San Marcos (CA) on December 12, 2007 (a Wednesday).
- Clarksdale is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east of Willis. Both communities are located in Coahoma County.
- San Marcos is located in San Diego County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 76.
- The body was cremated.
William Caesar Warfield (Singer)
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for William Caesar Warfield<1>
- He was born in West Helena (AR) on January 22, 1920 (a Thursday) and died in Chicago (IL) on August 25, 2002 (a Sunday).
- West Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Willis (which is located in Coahoma County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 82.
- He is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, which is located in Monroe County, New York.
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Mt. Hope Cemetery<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Hope Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Willis to Mt. Hope Cemetery

Footnotes ...

<1>	The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.