Darrell Denny Willis - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Darrell Denny Willis

Born April 13, 1942

Darrell Denny Willis, age 72, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2015.

Born in Bloomfield, MO on April 13, 1942, Darrell was the son of James Hugh and Irene Denny Willis. He proudly served his country as a member of the US Army specializing in intelligence. Darrell made his career with the former MBNA, where he worked as an executive vice president, retiring after 40 years of dedicated service.

A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and sporting clays and was an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast. Life was an adventure for Darrell and he looked forward to each day. His passion was his family and he made it his life’s mission to always put them first. A devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, Darrell will be dearly missed by all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Joan Kay. Darrell is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Vickie Kay Willis; daughter, Robin Willis McCormick; sisters, Karen Comfort (Steve) and Vickie Green (David); father-in-law, Donald J. Kay, USAF, ret.; and 2 grandchildren, Alyse and Chelsea West.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Monday evening, January 12, 2015 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday morning, January 13, 2015, at the funeral home. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, Tennessee, USA 38120 or to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675(877.832.6997 /woundedwarriorproject.org) or to a favorite charity of the donor’s choice.

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28 Condolences for Darrell Denny Willis

  • There are no words to take away the hurt. But, there is the comfort and healing that will continually flow in abundance to you–each of you. Know that you are never alone–not in person, not in spirit and especially not as you walk in the steps of Our Lord. Someone is ALWAYS with you, giving you a nudge, provoking a fond memory and holding you up. God Bless you my sweet friend Robin. Love you.
    In His Service,
    LD

  • I am so sorry for your loss!! Thinking and praying for you.

  • Robin, Chelsea, Vicki & Alyse-

    My heart is broken for all of you- he was your rock- now he is your angel up above and will always be in your heart.

    I am honored to have known him. His jokes that he has told me through-out the years will always make me smile, his memory will live on in all our hearts.

    My love to you all.

    Rosemarie

  • So sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with this great man at MBNA. I know he will truly be missed. God Bless!

  • There aren’t any words that can make this loss go away. I have so many positive memories of hunting with Darrell that will help to get me through this rough time. He taught me so much from a young age and I will always be thankful for that. Darrell had a very distinct laugh that I will never forget and always wore a smile whenever I saw him. I will miss him greatly but will never forget all the great times.

  • I was so saddened to hear about the loss of Darrell. He hired me as his Admin Assistant while in Facilities where I remained until he retired. He was an amazing man who was admired for his compassion, his caring and most importantly, for his passion for life. Whether discussing his zest hunting, opening up a new package from Ducks Unlimited or talking about this motorcycle, his passion was most evident. Darrell made a profound mark on the lives he touched and I am so thankful to have known him. I pray that the family finds peace in their time of need but hope that the memories he left behind remind them of how much he loved and was loved.

  • Saying goodby to my lifelong dear friend and father of my daughter and grandfather to my granddaughter. Can’t say goodbye, we had a life long special bond and friendship that only some can understand. Our families had a special bond. You will be missed by so very many, your wonderful personality made so many friends; you were adored by your family and friends. God called you home so you and the angels can watch over Vickie, Robin, Chelsea, Alyse with always a smile. Thank you for being a part of my life and for being a part of Joe’s life. You are in everone’s heart. God Bless Darrell and family.

  • Vicki and Willis Family

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Denny was always fun to be with and had a kind, sweet spirit. Much love and sympathy to all of you.

    Don and Jean Norman

    Jackson Mo.

  • Denny was a great cousin and we enjoyed having lunch with you all when you were back home. I will never forget our last meal together at dad’s after Thanksgiving. Know that our prayers are with you and all the family. We will see you when you bring him back to Bloomfield for his final resting place. Love to you all.

  • Darrell was a great guy and good friend who always told it like it was.

    RIP

  • I was so sorry to hear that Denny passed away. He was always so sweet to stop by and visit when he and Vicki came back to Missouri. We always enjoyed his stories of hunting with my brother, Bill. Thinking of you and sending much love .

    With Love and Much Sympathy
    Louisa Quick

  • Vickie and family I am so sorry for your lost. I sure am going to miss seeing you guys come in together to the Harley shop with your smiles and happy greetings to all of us.

  • A true honor to have started my career working on his team. Have many fond memories of him and I learned a great deal about leadership from watching him. God bless you as you celebrate his life!

  • My condolences to the family.
    I had the opportunity to work with Darrell for 16 years while at MBNA and can attest to the fact that he was a wonderful person, one of the most committed MBNA people I had the opportunity to work with and always displayed a wonderful sense of humor. He was a man of character who always did the right thing.

    May Darrell rest in Peace.

    Bill Morrison

  • Thoughts and prayers for you and yours Robin. We lost a good guy. Regrets for losing touch with a lot of former MBNA’ers, except for DU! Peace.

  • My prayers to Vicki, Robin and the family. So sad, I worked with Darrell at MBNA and have fond memories of him.

  • I am so sorry for your loss. We all have great memories of Darrell. When he was more of a kid than us kids and he never told us no when we wanted to do something for fun. He will be missed by all but never forgotten. Time like this I wished we lived closer to you guys but you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Love you guys

  • Vicki and Family – So sorry to hear of the passing of Darrell. We always enjoyed talking to him at the different Harley-Davidson events. He will be greatly missed. All our love and prayers during this difficult time. Sim & Bob Moneta

  • So sorry to here of Darrell’s passing. Was always so pleased to see you both drop in to see me when at the mall. Will miss a true gentleman. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

  • Robin, I am so sorry for your loss. I often think about our days at MBNA and our direct promo’s for Ducks Unlimited. I’ll never forget his smile and the way he adored you (his little girl).
    Stay strong, Linda (Bower) Hill

  • Vickie and Robin I’m so sorry for your loss. As I sit here today thinking about Darrell he always had a smile on his face I’d go into his office in the morning and have our daily conversation he was always at work early in the morning like me. I also remember Vickie when he got the Harley and if I’m correct you also rode yours both of you enjoying life. It was an honor to know him Vickie and Robin.

    May Darrell rest in peace and know he’ll be looking down upon all the family.

    Robin I still have your note that you sent me when back in 1991 my dad passed away if you or Vickie need something please reach out to me.

    Sincerely,

    Debbie

  • Thoughts & prayers to Vicki. Darrell and I shared some wonderful, sometimes hectic memories together for many years at mbna; I learned quite a few things from Darrell regarding doing the right thing; what’s important, what’s not important, yet, what is critically important. Darrell will be missed!

  • I was very sorry to hear that Darrell has passed away. We had many interesting conversations over the years and I was always happy to see him in my office. We enjoyed discussing cars and his motorcycle riding and outdoor activities. I have known him for a long time and he will be missed. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

  • I was saddened to hear about Darrell passing. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

    Darrell was my first manager and mentor at MBNA. He was a great teacher who taught me the ropes at the bank. I recall seeing him last at my Dad’s funeral several years ago. He stood in line for 2 hours, on a cold rainy night in january, just to pay his respect. Ornery – yes! Whenever I saw him he lit up the room with his mischievous smile; yet a smile you could trust. Integrity – yes! He never wavered on decisions and made sure he set a fine example for those who surrounded him. Fun – Yes! Well you know….what a jokester!

    Wow! I am honored to have spent time with Darrell, he help to make me a better person.

    May God help you to find the courage to move forward. Hold tightly to the great memories of your husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

    Paula DiSabatino

  • My condolences to the family.

    I had the opportunity to work with Darrell in the early days of MBNA. Darrell was a pleasure to be around;his dedication and commitment made him a very special person. Darrell will be missed.

    My thoughts are with you at this challenging time.

    Adam Bashe

  • Vickie and family:

    So sorry to hear of Darrell’s loss. What a wonderful, kind man he was. I enjoyed riding with the both of you and he will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

  • Miss Vicky –

    I’m so sorry to learn of the passing of Darrell. He was a great comfort to my Father in his last days and I envision they are together now enjoying a good laugh. May you find comfort in the days to come.

    Warm regards,
    Lynda

  • So sorry to hear of Denny’s passing, my thoughts & prayers are with the family at this difficult time.