Virginia Irene Willis

Virginia Irene Willis, 82, formally of Grafton, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 28th in Manistique, Michigan. Virginia was born in Grafton, West Virginia to Harold and Marguerite McDaniel on June 23, 1930. She lived in Grafton until 1959, when she moved to southern California with her husband, Don Willis, and their four children- Stephanie, Michele, Brent, and Lisa. Another daughter, Aimee, was born in California in 1967. Virginia worked in accounting for many years, and retired in 2000 to Manistique to be near her daughter Lisa's family. There she became a member of the Manistique Women's Club and Eastern Star, serving as Treasurer for several years. She was an accomplished seamstress, a talent she applied primarily for the benefit of her children, creating their wardrobes, Halloween costumes, formal gowns, and wedding and bridesmaid dresses. In addition to her five children, she is survived by 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, her brother Tom McDaniel, sister Rebecca McDaniel Zickefoose, and many nieces and nephews. She would want to include the Utash family of Simi Valley, California, close family friends who knew her as "Grandma Ginny". Virginia was preceded in death by her brother, Robert McDaniel of Grafton. Visitation will be held Bartlett's Funeral Home in Grafton on Friday, March 8th from 5p to 8p, and the funeral service will be at Bartlett's on Saturday at 11am, with Pastor Michael Willis of the First Grace Brethren Church officiating. Following the burial at Woodsdale Cemetery, there will be a reception at Grace Brethren Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Taylor County Senior Citizens Center, Route 2, Box 514, Grafton, WV, 26354. This organization held a special place in Virginia's heart for the meaningful care and involvement it provided her mother, Marguerite, for many years, or to the Fetterman United Methodist Church, RR 4, Box 258, Grafton, WV 26354.