Larry James Willis

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.

Guestbook Entry

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Steve Vaughn from Winter Springs, Florida
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.
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