Dennis Van Willis

Dennis Van Willis, 65, of Morganton, departed this life to his heavenly home on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Carolina Rehab Center of Burke following a period of declining health.

Dennis was born on April 14, 1960, in McDowell County, to the late Earl and Mary Lynn Stewart Willis. Dennis was a graduate of Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University, reflecting his commitment to learning and personal growth. He dedicated many years to his work at Kellex, where he served in fabric receiving until his retirement. Dennis found strength and community as a member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, where his faith and serving the Lord was an important part of his life.

This good sweet Godly man, grandson to a Preacher, loved God and studied faithfully his Bible and devotionals. Praying nightly with his wife for others, he affected everyone from people in drive-through order windows, to co-workers, friends with his sweetness and love and helped so many renew their faith, and salvation with God or lead others to Jesus or back to church with his witness. His favorite hobbies were Doctor Who and Star Trek his friends knew, but he loved God and his family. He loved Christmas and now he is leaving us at Christmas to spend it with Jesus this year. We know as he arrives through those heavenly gates, he was met by Jesus saying, “Well done thou good and faithful servant….” We that knew him are blessed most of all to have walked with him by his side on this earth now have to walk without him and we grieve at Heaven’s grain and our loss.

Survivors include his wife, Dr. Sharon Boone-Willis of the home; his sister, Anita Brittain and husband, Micol, of Knoxville, Tenn.; his nephews, Micol Scott Brittain and wife, Michelle, and Jason Brittain and wife, Jennifer; his great-niece and great-nephew, Mia and Bodie Brittain; two aunts, Margaret Wilson and Kate Murdock; his cousins, Rhonda Gouge and Donna Godley; and many other wonderful cousins, that he truly loved.

The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, from 11 a.m. to noon at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.

A funeral service will follow the visitation at noon on today, Saturday, in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese, with the Rev. Mike Thomas officiating.

A funeral service and burial will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at Lily Branch Baptist Church in Bakersville, N.C., with the Rev. Andy Willis officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritans Purse at samaritanspurse.org.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the Willis family.