William Leonard Willis

william willis

October 10, 1930 ~ February 2, 2019

Born in: Atlanta, GA
Resided in: Atlanta, GA

William (Bill) Leonard Willis, 88, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his daughters Donna Overholt Willis (Dave Stevens) and Sarah Willis Satola, both of Atlanta, and the love of all those he touched. A native of Atlanta, born on October 10, 1930 to Emily Frances England and Leonard William Willis, Billy grew up in the West End and was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 17, embracing the “Do A Good Turn Daily” motto for life! Bill spent his summers as a life guard at Chastain Park and took the trolley to his beloved Boys High until it closed in 1947. After a year at Brown High School as a member of the football team, he entered the Georgia Institute of Technology. He spent his Ga Tech days throwing the javelin for the varsity track team, as a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity and as a Lieutenant in Army R.O.T.C. In 1952, he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering because, as he always said, “I promised the Department Chair I would never actually BE a mechanical engineer.”
After graduation, Bill went to work for the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) in Chicago where he lived at the SAE fraternity house on the Northwestern University campus. After waiting for the bus to Evanston in a seersucker suit one typical April Chicago day, he told ALCOA to “transfer me someplace warmer or I quit.” After 5 years in Tampa, FL with ALCOA he moved his family back to Atlanta and started several successful businesses including, Aluminum Building Products Co. (1963); Atlanta Aluminum Co. (1968); First American Resources Corp. (1978) and Coil Coaters of America (1985). He never missed an opportunity to point out the many practical uses for aluminum in the world.
Since graduating from Ga Tech, Bill rarely missed a trip to Augusta for The Masters. In recent years he rarely missed a Friday night with friends at Houston’s. He enjoyed his annual family ski trips to Colorado for as long as he could. He was an early member of the Atlanta Track Club and ran in numerous Peachtree Road races. His daily meditation had become trotting around the track or field at The Lovett School where he proudly sent his daughters. He worked hard to provide his children excellent educations and to their chagrin loved introducing them by saying “this is my daughter the lawyer and this is my daughter the PhD”. One of his greatest joys was being Pop Pop to his granddaughter, Nancy Isabelle Satola (Tyler Haskell) of Brooklyn, NY. No one could bring a smile to his face like Nancy.
The family are forever grateful for the care and love of Lauren La Platte, her son Anton, and the entire La Platte family.
Bill will be remembered for his charisma and charm; his kindness to everyone he met; his ability to connect with people from all walks of life; his love of the Ramblin’ Wreck of Ga Tech; his passion for all things healthy; his impeccable personal style; and his unmatched wit. He was always prepared to create laughter by carrying his curated joke list so he had the optimal choice whenever an occasion called for humor.
In addition to his two daughters, granddaughter and son-in-law, Bill is survived by his brother, Charles Willis; nephew and niece, Scott and Susan Willis; his blended and extended family: Sandy Mallory; David Satola; Christine Zurawski; and those golf-loving Brits, Jimmy Burns and Joe Hall.
Bill was a Life Member of the Ga Tech Athletic Association’s Alexander-Tharpe Fund because he truly valued his own experience as a Ga Tech student and athlete. Memorial contributions may be made to The Alexander-Tharpe Fund at Georgia Tech or to a charity of your choice.
A Memorial Service will be held at The Cathedral of Saint Phillip in the Mikell Chapel at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Photo Gallery

Guestbook

  1. Dawn Emery says:

    A special man, who will always be remembered. I enjoyed working for him at First American. Rest In Peace.

  2. Charlotte M. says:

    Moved away shortly after I met Bill. I was one of Houston”s buddies. I’m saddened by the news. Knowing Bill was like having a glimpse back when times in the world was wonderful.

    What an elegant,kind man.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Go to Top