On June 23, 2024, WILLIS GENE BLANKENSHIP went to be with Jesus and his son Jeffrey Alan.  Willis was born November 22, 1936, to the late Hiram Senior and Thelma Gladys Lockhart Blankenship.  He was a 1957 graduate of Wayne High School, served in the United States Army, and had a career in the lumber industry working in West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky.  Willis was saved in October of 1979 and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church, Ona, W.Va.  He loved to hunt, fish, bowl, and spend time with family and friends.  In addition to his parents and Jeffrey, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Fredis, Leota, and Lillian; and four brothers, James, Sidney, Hiram Jr., and Cay Blankenship.

Survivors include three sisters, Irene Artrip, Gladys Sue Dierdorff and husband Don Dierdorff, and Sylvia Luther; one brother Ellis Blankenship; sister-in-law Reebie Blankenship; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, whom he loved.

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Johnson Tiller Funeral Home with funeral following at 7 p.m.  Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2024, at Community Memorial Gardens.