May 1, 2012

WINDSOR — John “Jack” Ramey Wills, Jr, 91, was called to his heavenly home by His Lord and Savior on May 1, 2012, at his home. He is predeceased by his wife, Betty Wills.

Jack was born in 1920 in Suffolk, Va., as the older of two brothers, sons of John Ramey Wills Sr. and Eleanor Davis. He graduated from VPI in 1943 and became a “90 day wonder” as he and others were hurried through Officer Candidate School so they could join the war effort. He served as a lieutenant in the 794th Army Battalion protecting bridges in Germany and France.

Jack married Elizabeth “Betty” Sexton, of Raleigh, N.C., shortly after his graduation from college and began a faithful, devoted and loving marriage that spanned 65 years and was blessed by God with three children. Jack and Betty made their home on the family farm in Windsor, Va., for most of their lives. Jack loved the rhythm of farm life and the quiet of the countryside.

Jack entered the general contracting business along with his father and brother, Gordon, and continued in its endeavor until his passing. He had a real love and understanding of building, residential and commercial, as evidenced by the many structures the firm of J.R. Wills and Sons has completed in the area.

However, the real delight of his life was his involvement in the kingdom work of His Savior, Jesus Christ. Over the years, he was involved with many Christian ministries. They include Youth for Christ, board member for Ben Lippen High School, deacon, Sunday school teacher and superintendent of Sunday schools at the First Baptist Church of Suffolk. In later years he became an active member of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Perhaps his greatest love for service was with the jail ministry associated with the Southeastern Correctional Ministry of Hampton, where he served as a Bible teacher for more than 25 years. Truly a life well spent.

Survivors include his children, John R. Wills III, Beverley W. Ruegsegger and husband, Ronald, all of Windsor, William S. Wills and wife, Patricia, of Virginia Beach; grandchildren, Kathryn Wills, John R. Wills IV and wife, Lisa, John L. Ruegsegger and wife, Rebecca, Benjamin Ruegsegger, Clare Oestreicher, John L. Wills, Alina Wills; great-grandchildren, Lexus Wills and Nayelli Ruegsegger; brother, Gordon B. Wills, and sister, Beverley S. Hathaway, both of Suffolk.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church by Dr. Ruffin Alphin. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers as a memorial, it is requested that contributions be made to Southeastern Correctional Ministry Inc., 40 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.