HATTERAS– Daniel Carl Willis, 90, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 11,2014. Daniel was born Sept. 25, 1923 to Valentine (Tine) TolsonWillis and Nancy Austin Willis.
Daniel loved God, his family andcountry. During World War II, he served as a tank driver in the 737thtank battalion of the Third Army. The 737th participated in the majorbattles, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland andCentral Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awardedseveral medals in his effort. Among them are three Purple Hearts,five Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. One of his medals is a GoodConduct Award, which he always found amusing. In February of2014, Daniel was a recipient of the prestigious North Carolina LongLeaf Pine Award.
After the war, he married Mildred Stowe andthey left Hatteras for his work in Norfolk, Va., as mechanic at theNorfolk Naval Air Station. After retiring, the family returned toHatteras, where Daniel and Mildred opened and operated Willis BoatLanding, one of the first marinas for small recreational boaters on theisland.
Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 68 years,Mildred Stowe Willis of Hatteras; two sons, Norman Willis and RobertWillis and wife Darlene, and one daughter, Marlene Burrus and husbandAllen; six grandchildren, Robert Willis Jr, Dori Slater and husbandJohn, Michelle Summerlin and husband Michael, Joshua Burrus, JonathanBurrus and Jennifer Hackley and husband Zach, and 13great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Daniel waspreceded in death by his daughter, Judy Fay Willis, his son, AlvinDaniel (Danny) Willis, and his daughter-in-law, Johnnie Belinda Willis.
Daniel never considered himself a hero, but he will always be a hero to the ones who knew and loved him.
Acelebration of life will be in Hatteras Assembly of God on Monday,Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. by Dr. Rev. Azariah J. Jeyakumar. Burial will bein Willis Family Cemetery. Friends may join the family at HatterasAssembly of God on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.
