Charles W. Willis was born to Pleasie and Victoria Willis on November 16, 1936, in Newbern, Tennessee. He graduated from Sharon High School and later attended the University of Tennessee at Marin, TN. He is married to Noreta Lawler Willis, and they have two children, David Willis and Sondra Payne. Charles and Noreta moved to Opp in 1994.
Charles is well known and respected in the textile manufacturing industry, which he was successfully involved in from 1956 to 2000. In 1956, he began working for Martin Manufacturing Company then later became Vice President in 1967. Charles later became Director of Manufacturing at Arnav Industries from 1969 until 1971. In 1971, he began his tenure with the Colonial Division of Taren Holdings and was responsible for all functions for domestic and offshore operations. He later became Senior Vice President in 1991. When he and Noreta moved to Opp, he served as General Manager for Covington Industries from 1994 to 1998. Thereafter, he served as an independent textile consultant from 1998 until 2000.
Although Charles is not originally from Opp, he has selflessly and profusely contributed his expertise and goodwill throughout the community. He has served on the Opp Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for a total of seventeen years (not consecutively); moreover, Charles served as President for 2007-2008. He was one of the founding members of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and was a proud member for twelve years. He has served on the Opp Housing Authority Board for the past six years and he is currently serving as Chairman of the Board. In addition, he proudly served on the Opp Utilities Board for eight years. Charles has been a true asset to the Frank Jackson Trail Masters, and he is presently serving as president. For the past eleven years, he has willingly volunteered his time to assist with the Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo and take on important responsibilities to help make the event a success each year. With his contributions to the Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo, the City of Opp publicly recognized Charles for his endless support for the event.
In 1999, Charles and Noreta began the rewarding journey of becoming foster parents with Agape; moreover, they have given a loving home and a new beginning for more than forty-five children. Since 2002, Charles has taught and trained nearly 300 parents in multiple counties that made the noble decision to become foster parents. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Covington County Foster Parent Association.
Charles has been actively involved in church his entire life. He served as a deacon in Martin, TN for four years; furthermore, he served as a deacon in Murfreesboro, TN for two years and an elder for fifteen years. He is currently serving as an elder at the Opp Church of Christ. Charles has taught Bible classes at least nine months out the year since 1955. Beginning in 2003, he began doing missionary work for nine years; in conjunction, he has been a missionary in Guyana for fifteen days each year. He is active in the Meals on Wheels food program to help the elderly and needy families in Opp.
With humility and dedication, Charles Willis has had an exemplary life full of success while finding time to serve his community and others in need. More importantly, he has lived an honorable life serving his Lord and doing what he has been called to do which is giving back to the people around him. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
