Saluda, SC

Jesse Thomas Willis, III, 63, of 231 S. Jennings St, Saluda, husband of Leticia Clavijo Romero Willis, died peacefully at home Thursday, December 28, 2017. Born on February 27, 1954, in Carroll County, GA, he was the son of the late Jesse Thomas Willis, Jr., and Mazelle Wessinger Keisler. He was a graduate of Saluda High School and attended Newberry College. He recently retired from BiLo.

Tommy was a Saluda Tiger at heart. A member of the Saluda High School Class of 1973, he served as President and was a proud Tiger athlete. He was a member of the Saluda Players and an ardent dedicated supporter of the Saluda Theatre and the Historical Society. He loved Saluda and her people. Tommy loved the Lord and his family, enjoyed playing golf and fishing, and was known for his grilling prowess and as a regular at the Huddle House. Tommy's trademark was his easy-living nature—that always made him at least a little bit late for just about everything. He had a big heart and was always willing to help anybody—whether he knew them well or not.

Surviving are his wife of the home; a daughter, Jessica Willis, of Florence; a son, Jarred (Crystal) Willis of Saluda; stepsons Aldhair Martinez, Martin Martinez, and Cristian Martinez, all of Saluda; and a brother and favorite golf partner, Johnny (Babs) Willis of Saluda.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Donny Willis.

Tommy was in the midst of working on a matching grant to renovate the Saluda Theatre. Memorials may be made to the Saluda County Historical Society Theatre Fund, PO Box 22, Saluda, SC, 29138, to further the cause about which he was so passionate.

A funeral Service will be held Sunday, December 31, at 3:00 at Good Hope Baptist Church, 1738 Greenwood Hwy, Saluda. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at 2:00 prior to the service.