John Daniel Willis

John Daniel Willis, age 34, sailed out of the storm of pain and chaos into the love, grace and mercy of the Divine on Tuesday February 27, 2018. One of the last entries in his journal read, "I'm grateful to have a relationship with God." He was born in Galveston, Texas on May 20, 1983. At age 2 ½ he moved with his parents to Clemson, SC in December of 1985. He loved playing baseball and excelled at soccer, especially on the Seneca Soccer Team. He graduated from Seneca High School in 2001. John also attended Landmark College in Vermont and Minneapolis Community & Technical College in Minnesota. He had charm, a beautiful smile and an infectious sense of humor. He was an extremely gifted artist and a passionate salesman who approached life with sensitivity and kindness. His struggle with the disease of addiction was brutal and heartbreaking. The disease may have taken his body but it could not steal his soul. As the late German Poet, Ranier Maria Rilke once advised, "Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves. Then gradually, you will live into the answers."

John is survived by the love of his life, his son, Isaiah Carter, age 6. He leaves behind his loving family, father, Tim S. and mother Lynda L. Willis of Clemson, SC and his younger brother, David T. Willis of Bozeman, MT, grandparents John and Maxine Willis of Ridgeland, MS. He also leaves behind several wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Willis M. and Mary A. Middleton.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2pm on Saturday March 10, 2018 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Clemson, SC. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the church's Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: The Tim Willis Student Mission Fund, First Baptist Church, 397 College Ave. Clemson, SC 29631; The Launching Pad Recovery, 2107 North Decatur Rd. Unit 527, Decatur, GA 30033; FAVOR Greenville Attn: Mary Harris Edwards, 335 Woodruff Rd. Suite 303 Greenville, SC 29607.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.