Obituary of Paul B. Willis Jr.

Paul B. “Skip” Willis Jr., 68, of Cty. Rte. 31, Canisteo, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. Born in the former Bethesda Hospital in North Hornell on September 21, 1956, Skip was the son of the late Paul B. and Anna Mae (Drake) Willis. He attended Jasper Central School from where he was a 1974 graduate. He later in life attended Corning Community College following an on the job injury. On June 13, 1976, Skip and the former Jennifer Woodward were married in Canisteo. Jenny survives. Skip’s life work was in the building trades, having been employed by several commercial contractors over the years. He last worked for Spoleta Construction Company of Rochester. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with family and friends playing card games or merely hanging out at home with people he cared for. Besides his wife Jenny, Skip is survived by his son, Jeremiah Willis of Hornell, his siblings, Raymond Clifford (Betty) French of Swansboro, NC, Roger (Angie) French of Orangevale, CA, Duane Willis of Canisteo, Gary (Deb) Willis of Andover, Susan (Ernest) Kubiak of Canisteo, Vicky (Merritt) Black of Canisteo, Tammy (Jerry) Taft of Canisteo and Scott (Kristin) Dixon of Canisteo along with many nieces and nephews. Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Mae Willis and by his sister, Sharon Taylor. A Celebration of Life to honor Skip will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull.