James Michael Willis, Sr.

James Michael Willis, Sr. affectionately known as Mickey passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, at the age of 85. He spent his final years in Augusta, Georgia.

Born on September 3, 1940, in Barnesville, Georgia, Mickey later moved with his family to Warner Robins, where he grew up and spent much of his adult life. He was the son of Dewey and Jewell Willis, both now deceased.

Mickey shared a devoted 65-year marriage with his lifelong companion, Peggy Willis. Their relationship was marked by remarkable loyalty and affection, and a long-life built side by side. You would rarely see one without the other.

Mickey served his community as a State Farm Agent for nearly 50 years, becoming a trusted agent to countless families. His fairness, integrity and genuine interest in others made a lasting impact - especially on those who worked for him and with him.

He enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies throughout his life: fishing, boating, golfing with Peggy, traveling and cooking. In his later years, however, Mickey discovered a new pastime - online shopping. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a full-fledged hobby, and Mickey approached Amazon with the same enthusiasm he had once given fishing poles and golf clubs. If there was a gadget, tool, flashlight, or clever device he hadn’t tried yet, he was determined to give it a go. His family often joked that he single-handedly kept the delivery trucks in business.

He is preceded in death by his son, Mark Dewey Willis, and his grandson, James Michael Willis III.

Mickey is survived by his wife Peggy; his sister, Carole Holliman; and his children James Michael (Mike) Willis, Jr. (Doraine) and Matthew (Matt) Alexander Willis (Pam).

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tray (Kenzie), Emily (Luke), Justin (Lauren), Lauren (Chris), Jesse (Brittney), Josh (Morgan), Luke and Isabel (Jon); and his great-grandchildren - Jocee, Jay, Annie, Knox, Kashton, Kaisley, Paxton, Collins, Mason, Emma, Logan, Grayson, Ivy, Clark, Ellie, Dallas and soon-to-arrive Davey.

Although distance meant Mickey did not get to spend as much time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as he might have wished, he cared deeply for each of them and took pride in the generations that followed him.

Mickey’s greatest gift was the fierce loyalty he carried - especially toward Peggy, whom he protected and cherished and served throughout their long life together. His generosity, loyalty and unmistakable personality leave a lasting imprint on all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, James Michael Willis, Sr. will be laid to rest in Parkway Memorial Gardens

.For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of James Michael Willis, Sr. to First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, the Mercie Fund, at 615 Telfair St., Augusta, Georgia 30901.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.