Christopher K. Willis
Corporal, United States Marine Corps
March 2, 1979 – July 18, 2003
Age – 24
Paw Paw, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Marine Reconnaissance Team as a scout of the forward area for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA
Died in a car accident on I-94 near Battle Creek
Corporal Christopher K. Willis grew up in Paw Paw, Michigan, joined the Marines in 1999 and completed his boot camp training at Camp Pendleton, California, in December of 1999. Christopher graduated from USMC Engineering School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in April of 2000 with a 4.0 GPA (2nd in a class of 40).
Christopher was born, March 2, 1979 in Kalamazoo the son of Hon. Frank and Bobbie (Kelly) Willis. Christopher attended Kalamazoo Christian School and was a graduate of Paw Paw High School in 1997 where he was an honor role student. He active in PALS, Co-Capt. of the Paw Paw soccer team were he was all conference, and was also active in the ski club and baseball team. He attended MSU and KVCC. Christopher enjoyed many sports including, Church league basketball and Marine baseball, weightlifting, and mountain biking. He was a devout Christian, loved the Lord, and loved his family and friends. Christopher was a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corp. serving in Iraq with as a Combat Engineer with Bride Company Alpha and returning home in June.
After Lejeune, he was attached to Bridge Company Alpha, 6th Engineer Support Company, 4th FSSG in Battle Creek, Michigan. In early 2003, Lance Corporal Willis was activated by the USMC.
After deployment to Kuwait, and just prior to the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was hand selected for the Marine Reconnaissance Team and was on the front lines as his seven man team scouted the forward area for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.
Christopher came home a hero to Paw Paw, Michigan, in June of 2003. Six weeks later, on July 18, 2003, while still on active duty, Lance Corporal Willis, at the age of 24, died in a tragic automobile accident on I-94 near Battle Creek, Michigan.
After his death, Christopher was promoted to the rank of Corporal, gaining the title of a Non-Commissioned Officer and gaining his NCO blood stripe. Corporal Willis was buried with full military honors in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.
Surviving are his parents, Hon. Frank & Bobbi Willis of Paw Paw; 2 brothers, Michael (Susan) Willis, Shaun (Corrina) Willis all of Kalamazoo; 2 sisters, Mariko and Brooke Willis both of Paw Paw.
After his death, his family established The Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2004 in memory and in honor of a beloved son, brother, friend, and proud Marine.
The primary mission of the Willis Foundation is to fund college scholarships for children whose United States Armed Services parent was killed or permanently disabled in a combat zone.
The Willis Foundation is committed to supporting the men and women of our armed services by providing “Great Rewards for Great Warriors.”
These children have also made the ultimate sacrifice.