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Randy took after his father with his woodworking ability and made his living as a very skillful carpenter, and his talent will live on for years in the homes he built with his characteristic attention to every detail. Randy served our country during the 1970's as a member of the Special Forces Green Berets and participated every year in Rolling Thunder in support of the many men who never made it home from Vietnam. He passed away on October 4, 2012, after a lengthy illness. Randy was survived at the time and lovingly remembered by his mother, Margaret Willis-Bode, his sister-in-law, Cathy Willis-Melson and her husband Tom, his niece Annie Hall and her husband Wes of Ankeny, IA, his nephew J. Michael Willis, Jr., his great-niece and nephew Sydney and Braden Hall of Ankeny, IA, his devoted girlfriend Kristi Bilick, of Clearwater, FL, his many cherished friends, and his faithful dog Curtis. He was preceded in death by his father Earl Nathan Willis, his brother John M. (Jack) Willis, and his step-father Richard A. “Dick” Bode, Jr.
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J. Harper Powell
A Green Beret to Remember
As I remember the "Ballard of the Green Berets"
I would think of our soldiers and begin to pray
But now it will be different, as I must confess
I now see Randy with the silver wings on his chest
It will represent his good heart to all of mankind
and his dedication to friendship, which is hard to find
He's always been kind and put a smile on your face
And the sound of his laugh will be hard to replace
I'll remember "His Battle" he had to fight
and all of his friends who must now say "Goodnight"
I'll remember the grace and courage he showed
and how he lived his life, that he was bestowed
As a Green Beret, he was also blessed
Because he truly was, one of America's Best
This Poem is dedicated to Randy Willis by J. Harper Powell