Willis Lee Dennis

Born to Manual and Eunice Dennis in Willards, MD on February 25th, 1940, he was the oldest boy of 11 children. Raised in Willards and Powellville, Willis spent his time fishing on Adkins Pond, hunting on farms down Mt Hermon Road, and helping on his grandparent’s farm. He met his late wife Linda in a blueberry patch while picking blueberries for 10 cents a pint. He was married at the young age of 20 and traveled to Colorado Springs, CO to serve as an Air Force Airman Jet Mechanic. Honorably discharged from the Air Force, Willis returned to Maryland to work for the Maryland Tidewater Fisheries, which is today’s Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He moved through the ranks of the DNR, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel and the position of Deputy Superintendent.

Willis loved woodworking, wood carving, fishing, and hunting. He will be dearly missed by his grandkids, who he proudly taught to fish and crab. Willis was a Freemason, attaining his third degree at the Centreville Lodge 180. He proved his brotherhood by working through the ranks and being elected the Worshipful Master twice, 1983-1984 and 2007. His many friends included brothers from South Carolina’s Hatiola Hunt Club. Willis dedicated time every year to visiting these loyal friends. He also enjoyed traveling in retirement. His journeys with Linda took him to Europe, the Caribbean, and much of the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. Willis took a genuine interest in all those he had the pleasure of meeting and developed friendships as far away as Australia.

Willis was pre-deceased by his wife of 64 years, Linda (Larmore) Dennis. He is survived by his two children: Eric (Donna Popovici), of Middletown, RI, and Lisa Stevens (James) of Owings Mills, MD: two grandchildren: Keely Dennis of Groton, CT, and James Stevens of Owings Mills, MD. He also leaves behind his older sister Carolyn (Dennis) Cheek, Savannah, GA, younger brothers George Dennis, Willards, MD, Samual (Sam) Dennis, St. Augustine, FL, William (Bill) Dennis, St. Augustine, FL, David (Dave) Dennis, Pasadena, MD and younger sister, Susan (Dennis) Riley, Fruitland, MD. He is pre-deceased by younger sister Jeanette (Dennis) Van der Zee, Memphis, TN, and younger brothers James Dennis, Curtis (Curt) Dennis, and Phillip Dennis.

Willis has donated his body to the Maryland State Anatomy Board and from this selfless act of generosity has provided medical schools and other public health education programs unparalleled resources to teach theory and techniques that promote medical-dental education, improve clinical-surgical practices, positively impact research, and improve public health for generations to come. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11am at Dennis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Willis to the National Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association, or the Shriners Children's.