Dr. James Robert "Jim" Willis' Obituary
Dr. James Robert “Jim” Willis, 89, of Covington, LA, passed away on May 5th, surrounded by his family.
Jim was a beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend, but he really loved being his grandchildren’s “Doc”. He was born on December 12, 1934, to Louie Marshall Willis and Mary Eleanor Casey Willis in Magnolia, Arkansas, the youngest of two children. When Jim was young, the family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana and Jim was active in the community, managing a paper route, serving as lifeguard at the Shreveport Country Club, attending church at the Kings Highway Christian Church and spending time with his nine Magnolia cousins. He graduated from Byrd High School in 1952 and originally wanted to be a commercial artist. After much thought, he decided that his calling was medicine. He went on to study chemistry and pre-med at Centenary College of Louisiana where he was a member of The Kappa Alpha Order and later became an LSU Tiger, attending Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans.
In 1961, while in residency at a hospital in Denver, Colorado, he met, fell in love with and married his wife of 63 years, Janice (Olsen) Willis of San Francisco, California. The couple “temporarily” moved back to New Orleans so that he could complete his residency. In 1964 they moved to Covington “temporarily” for Jim to take the position as the first full-time radiologist at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, and to study for his board exams. The plan was always to move back to Colorado. Jim was the only radiologist at the then, 27 bed, tiny hospital. He worked and took call 24 hours each day, loving almost every minute of it. He loved his colleagues, all of the radiology techs, hospital administration and staff, and the hospital food, which he said was some of the best comfort food in the area. He was sometimes paid with flats of strawberries or livestock. Being a doctor and taking care of people was more important to him than any financial gain. The “temporary” plan soon turned into a permanent plan and, with Jan by his side, Jim grew the radiology practice as St. Tammany Parish and the surrounding parishes grew. In 1974 he brought in his first partner and then another, and another and another until their team was 6 strong. In 1977 he and other doctors in the community built Highland Park Hospital in an effort to bring additional medical services to the citizens of St. Tammany and surrounding parishes. He became a fixture in the medical community. He served on the boards of Christwood Retirement Community and St. Tammany Parish Hospital Foundation.
Jim was the father of five children, Laura, Michael, Casey, Robert and Jami. He was known to play punt pass and kick in the front yard with his sons and their friends. He loved hiking in Colorado, the game of golf, his many, many golf trips around the world with his favorite buddies, fly fishing, and going to LSU Tiger games. He was a voracious reader and had an amazing zest for learning. He was a poet and artist and frequently wrote sentimental poems for his wife and children. He loved music, fine art, especially bronzes, collecting many pieces through the years. He was frequently seen on the golf course in his Ray Ban aviator sunglasses with a cigar or walking his Golden Retrievers Andy and Archie. He loved co-hosting the Tchefuncta Wild Game Dinners and provided all of the artwork for each festive celebration. He was a wonderful friend to so many people and a mentor to many fine young doctors. He loved his family, his dogs, his work and his LSU Tigers.
Jim is predeceased by his parents, his sister, Marilyn, and his son, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Jan Willis; his four children, Laura (Mark) Gauthier of Tampa, Florida, Michael Willis of Charleston, South Carolina, Casey (Toni) Willis of Covington, La and Jami (Mitch) Worley of Baton Rouge; and his ten grandchildren, Mark, Max, and Mary Olive Gauthier, Hayden and Harrison Willis, Peyton Worley, True, Indie and Gray Willis, and Madeline Worley. The family wishes to thank his wonderful caregivers Ruth, Kendall, Trish, Jessica, Bertha, Joy and Katherine.
Funeral services will take place on Saturday, May 18th at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM with the service immediately following. Interment will follow the service at Theodore Dendinger Cemetery, Madisonville, LA.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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