Born April 25, 1943 in San Diego, California
Departed July 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Larry James Willis died unexpectedly yet peacefully in his home on July 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida at the age of 81.
Larry is survived by his children Megan Mudge and Scott Willis; daughter-in-law Diksha Malik; future son-in-law David Bjergaard; his sister Sandy Kittles; his ex-wife and friend Barbara Linton; his grandchildren Atlas and Nova Bee Mudge and many other cherished friends in the community. He is preceded in death by his parents Henry Willis and Daisy Carruthers.
Larry was born in San Diego on April 25, 1943 and lived a full and interesting life. He worked as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry, often taking years away from that career to work as a musician. A talented woodworker, he built a staggering number of beautiful guitars and intarsias.
He was an extremely curious and intellectual man, as evidenced by his extensive and unique book collection. Everything in his home had a place and now he will have own forever place in a green burial site located at Riverview Memorial Gardens.
4 entries.
Paul Sims
from Garner, NC wrote on July 24, 2024:
I met Larry in early 1959. By summer we had become fast friends. He got me into roller skating (I got good). He rekindled my interest in guitar. We had a band called The Envy's - Larry on lead, me on rhythm, and Dave Eleanor on drums. We were a hit at our high school graduation ball. We double-dated at the state fair. We visited my relatives in East TN, driving his Triumph Spitfire. He was more than a brother - we never got angry with one another nor did we try to one-up each other. We cruised the Cocoa-Cocoa Beach causeway many nights, listening to jazz on the radio. And so I say this as true: ONLY death could ever separate us, no matter how far apart we were or how seldom we spoke. He has taken a part of me with him. RIP, old friend.
Claire (McKune) Siskin
from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania wrote on July 23, 2024:
I shall miss Larry terribly. We met in high school, and he was a dear friend for 65 years. His most striking characteristic was his keen intelligence. He was a talented musician. We shared so many memories from high school and university. In all of life’s milestones – good or bad – we phoned each other for empathetic support. He very patiently taught me how to drive when everyone else around me declined, saying that I was too nervous! I didn’t see him often in recent years, but whenever we did meet, it seemed that neither of us had changed at all. Rest in peace, Larry.
Steve Vaughn
from Winter Springs, Florida wrote on July 22, 2024:
Larry and I shared the same birth year, birth month, high school graduating class and Cocoa neighborhood. He lived on the next street over in what was then the new Pine Ridge subdivision. We also shared a love of music. Many afternoons would find me at his house listening to and discussing the current top 40 as played on WKKO, our local AM station. Larry later would become the only person I’ve ever known who would apply engineer-type skills to music. What a rare combination.
Phil Putman
from Melbourne wrote on July 22, 2024:
Larry Willis was a caring, unselfish man; gentle, curious, highly intelligent and gifted in many areas. Larry lived on the same street as I did in Indialantic, Florida, and I spent many evenings at his house, talking, playing music, and recording. He impacted my life in only positive ways. He is a Brevard County legend and a good friend. Rest in sweet peace buddy - I'll miss you.
Born April 25, 1943 in San Diego, California