Ronald Jeffery Willis

Ronald Jeffery Willis, affectionately known as “Chip” was born on May 22, 1948, at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was the youngest of four children born to Nancy Willis and only son to Richard Willis. Chip unexpectedly departed this earthly life, the early morning of Sunday, January 22, 2023. Chip was 74 glorious years old.

Chip started his professional music adventure at the age of 14 playing with the Columbus based “Wild Bill Graham and the Escalators Band” as the sax man. In 1967, he recorded a 45 rpm record called “Ooh-Poo-Pa-Doo”, on Atlantic Records. Chip graduated from East High School in 1967, where he played the saxophone in the jazz and marching bands. After graduation he began working at Ohio Bell and also doing gigs on the weekends. He played with “Lee’s Sykes and the Highlander’s”, frequently entertaining at the Lemon Drop Club in the Short North area of Columbus. He proudly lead several bands including “Shades of Soul”, “Chip Willis and Company”, and played with many more as an in demand freelancer. Chip was featured and collaborated with national artists, Sam and Dave, Ike and Tina Turner, Joe Simon, Dee Dee Warwick, Edwin Starr, Sugar and Spice along with many other different recording artists.

Chip accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as His Savior early in his adult life. God’s given gifts to Chip were his voice and talent to play the saxophone, which he learned in the fourth grade. He enjoyed being the President of the Adult Youth Group and member of the Praise and Worship Team at the Church of Christ of Apostolic Faith at Brentnell. Chip completed bible school at Aenon Bible College.

Chip was known for acting in several plays in Columbus and Winterpark, FL, where he lived for a few years. In his retirement, he enjoyed working as a Standardized Patient with The Ohio State University and Ohio University where he was “a hit” with the staff. After leaving AT&T and starting his own phone business, Lucent Technologies recruited him to work as an instructor. He was also a real estate agent in Florida. In addition to playing his sax, he loved riding his motorcycle, watching movies, taking the best care of his beloved dogs, Emmy and Willis. As you all know, music was always his main love. When COVID-19 first surfaced, while everyone was in their homes, he entertained and uplifted others by getting dressed up and performing some of his favorite tunes on his Facebook Live page. Simply put, Chip was known as a jack of many trades. He had a big and infectious smile and certainly knew no strangers. Chip truly loved his family and cherished his dear friends and fans.

Chip was preceded in death by his dear parents: Richard and Nancy Willis; brother Clarence Moody, memorable friends Sterling (Verna) Williams, all from Columbus, OH. He is survived by his beloved daughter Tonya (Antonio) Graham and son Jose' (Megan) Travis, of Circleville, OH. Grandchildren Cierra (Mitchell) Swingle and Jordan Graham. Brothers Rick (Carol) Moody, of Phoenix, AZ; Charles Moody of Columbus, OH, Bill (Ceola) Garrett of Atlanta, GA. Special Friends; Bee Tolber, Cary (Linda) Dachtyl, Chad (Keyona Willis) Greenwald, Charlotte Rudd, Johnny Porter, Ralph (Susan) Ridley, Rita Yancy, as well as a host of family, friends and fans, who will miss him dearly. May Chip forever live on in our hearts.