Theodore R. 'Ted' Willis Jr.

Theodore R. "Ted" Willis Jr., 85, of Cloverdale, passed away June 20, 2017.

He was born on April 15, 1932 in Bowling Green, Ky., the son of Theodore Sr. and Vangie Willis.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 until 1954 as a Special Forces 82nd airborne paratrooper.

He married Treva Willis on Jan. 23, 1960 in Indianapolis.

Ted worked at Ford Motor Co. for 40 years before he retired in 1998. He was also the owner of Will Co. Construction.

He was a jack of all trades and built his home from start to finish in Cloverdale.

Ted enjoyed water skiing, building and constructing things, camping, traveling with his wife and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Ted will be lovingly missed by his wife, Treva Willis of Cloverdale; children Debby Cheek (the late Francis) of Franklin, Rhonda Dunn (Chuck) of Brown County, Ronald Willis (Cheri) of Muncie and Darryl Willis (Tanya) of Bluffton, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; brother TJ Willis; and sister Vera Mae Nicholson and her husband, Charlie.

A visitation will be Saturday, June 24 from 4-7 p.m. at Flanner and Buchanan--Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington St., Indianapolis.

A funeral service will take place on Sunday, June 25 at 1 p.m., also at the funeral center.

Entombment with military honors will immediately follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.

Ted was very generous, donating to multiple causes. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to either of his favorite charities: Breast Cancer Awareness and Disabled American Veterans.