Arthur Carroll Willis

WILLIS, Arthur Carroll passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, at the age of 98. Known as Carroll, he was born and raised on a farm in Gray Court, South Carolina, and received his primary education at Gray Court-Owings School. He was licensed to drive at the age of 12 so he could chauffeur his father, who was blind. He was very proud of his father’s accomplishments as Mayor of Gray Court, South Carolina state Senator, and insurance company owner. His mother was as strong as she was sharp, enduring the loss of several infants and young children while running a household, farm, and helping with her husband’s insurance company. At the age of 18, Carroll volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II, and served in the Philippines. Following the end of the War, he transported prisoners in Japan and China.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, he attended college at Mars Hill and Clemson Universities before going to work as a USDA inspector of agriculture. He married Martha Hellams, also of Gray Court, in February 1948. The couple moved up and down the east coast of the country with his job before ultimately settling in Plant City, Florida to raise their family. They built their home on five acres of land and their children grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, chickens, horses, ponies, cows, and a monkey. Starting in the 1960s, he took on more household duties to allow Martha to go back to college to become an elementary school teacher. His support on the home front while she worked increased with his retirement.

Carroll and Martha loved spending weekends and vacations at Englewood Beach, and they eventually made a second home there. After Martha retired from teaching school, they reliably spent half of every week in Englewood, Wednesday to Sunday, returning to Plant City for the other half of the week. He was an avid fisherman and fish-fryer. He and Martha were also active members of the First United Methodist Church in both Plant City and Englewood. Carroll was part of the United Methodist Men and enjoyed helping to serve pancake breakfast to the men of the Englewood church. He had the gift of gab, and loved to tell stories of the past to those he chatted with, whether acquaintance, friend, or family.

Carroll met his goal of living long enough to be retired for longer than he worked in his career. Although he was extremely fortunate to retire comfortably at a young age by today’s standards, he was never lazy. He was known to be an early riser, waking up consistently at 4:30-5AM for his morning coffee. He tended his pastures, gardens, palms and other plants, continuing to ride his tractor into his 90s. He read the newspaper daily, and then used it to cover his face when he napped after lunch. Carroll was not without his flaws; he had the temper and stubbornness of a typical red-head, and he could be a strict father at times. He softened over the years though. His grandchildren were barely afraid he might get after them with a boat paddle (he never did), and his two great-granddaughters crawled and bounced all over him without the slightest trepidation.

He lost his beloved wife Martha in 2018. In her final months, he cared for her with a dedication that no one realized, and his own health suffered under the stress and toil. Their lives and souls were so intertwined that the family could not imagine him surviving long without her. His mind, body, and spirit proved themselves to be stronger than anyone anticipated, and his health rebounded. He enjoyed having dinner every night with one of his children and their family, telling his stories, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy even if he couldn’t hear it, playing with his great-granddaughters, and taking care of Gimpy, the 3-legged cat who was the last pet he and Martha had together. When Carroll went to live at Lake Gibson Village after recovering from a fall at home in September 2023, Gimpy had the house to himself, with Carroll’s son and daughter checking in on him and caring for him. He passed away just weeks before Carroll himself did.

Longevity ran in his family, and Carroll always had a goal of living to be 100. He did not quite meet his goal, but at two months short of 99, he lived a long, happy life that would be the envy of most. He was a devoted husband to Martha for 70 years until her passing; was “Dad” to his three children, Michael (Sherry) Willis, Kathy (Barry) Baker, and Brian (Karen) Willis for 70 years; he was “Dad” or “Pops” to their spouses for 50 years; and was “Grandad” to his grandchildren Shon Baker, Eric Baker, Crystal Willis, Brenton (Rachel) Willis, and Kariana (Cameron) Donley and great-granddaughters Ziva Willis and Blair Willis. He was also predeceased by his parents, Townes and Annie Willis, his sister Kathryn (James) Puryear, and his son-in-law Barry Baker. His first great-grandson is expected in August, the same month as his own birthday, and his middle name is to be Townes, which would make Carroll very proud.

A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Plant City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida United Methodist Children’s Home at:

Residing Hope

51 Children’s Way

Enterprise, FL 32725