John R. "Jack" Willis

John R. “Jack” Willis, 89, died Sunday, August 19, 2018. He was born June 6, 1929, the son of William Moore and Annie Jones Willis. Jack lived every day of his life based on three guiding pillars: God, Family, Ensuring patients and families received compassionate healthcare.

Born in Farmville, North Carolina, Jack met his childhood sweetheart, Betsy Jones, whom he married in 1958 and together they lived a full and happy life until she preceded him in death in 2010.

Jack joined the U.S. Airforce where he proudly served his country from 1951 - 1955. Upon completing his military service, he joined Rex Hospital in 1955 as an Administrative Intern. Jack had a lifelong quest pursuing educational opportunities to improve himself. In 1957, he completed his Certificate in Hospital Administration from Rex Hospital. During his distinguished career at Rex, he held many leadership positions throughout the Hospital (Purchasing, Personnel, Administrative Director, Executive Director) prior to becoming President on April 1, 1987. Jack retired from Rex Hospital on January 31, 1995, affectionately called the “Jack Willis Day”. Many of Jack’s supporters credited him for many ground breaking initiatives completed at Rex Hospital (Relocation of Rex from St. Mary’s Street to Lake Boone Trail; followed by the additions of the Same Day Surgery Center, The Rex Cancer Center, Wellness Center, Family Birth Center, Convalescent Care Center, and two Critical Care Units). Jack was a humble man and was often cited for saying these were not his successes, but his success was built on the philosophy created by John Rex. Every day, Jack focused his efforts on the patients, their families, and the employees that he was so proud to lead at Rex Hospital. Jack knew if Rex focused on the patients and families they were privileged to serve, made sure the employees of Rex Hospital were treated like family, surrounded himself with excellent physicians and community leaders, and understood his primary role was to listen, then Rex would be a great place to work and patients/families would receive world class healthcare.

While Jack never focused on himself, throughout his distinguished career, he held various community leadership roles and was awarded many honors: “Tar Heel of the Week - 1980”, NC Hospital Association Life Membership Award and Distinguished Service Awards, NC Public Health Association Distinguished Service Award, Capital City Civic Award, Trustee and Chairman NC Hospital Association, Trustee of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Member of NC Medical Care Commission, Board of Directors Healthy Mother’s, Member of Healthy Babies Coalition of Wake County.

As proud as Jack was of Rex Hospital, he was equally as proud of his role as a Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend. Jack led by example, and while he spent countless hours leading Rex, he always ensured that Family was first. Jack loved being with his family and created life long memories with them at the beach, lake, vacationing in the mountains, Caribbean, or just spending time together in Raleigh. For him, it was not the “Where”, but the “Who” that he was with, and there was no better “Who” to him than Family. Jack is survived by his sons Randy Willis and wife Diane of Raleigh and Vail Willis and wife Tammy of Brentwood, TN; grandchildren, Justin Randolph, Caitlyn Elizabeth, and Austin Vail; second wife Marie Clark; and nephews Jones Fuquay and Dewey Fuquay and wife Delane and their sons, Tyler and Cody.

Jack knew that he was placed on this Earth to serve and he knew that all things were achievable with a strong religious belief in God. It was this belief and life long commitment that allowed him the ability to touch so many lives.

The family would like to extend a heart felt appreciation to Dad’s personal care givers (Sinclair, Luke, Michelle, Dabor, Sonia, Chris, George). You made Dad’s life better every day and Dad appreciated your attentive service and caring attitude.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday August 22, 2018 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh NC. Services will be held on Thursday August 23, 2018 at Mitchell Funeral Home at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to support UNC REX Healthcare. Gifts may be sent to the Rex Healthcare Foundation at 2500 Blue Ridge Rd., Suite 325, Raleigh NC 27607. Please include “In memory of Jack Willis” in the memo line. All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged to the family.