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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Paul Sims from Garner, NC
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.
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