Son of Joseph Willis and Sarah "Sally' Nowlin.

Married 1st Elizabeth.

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: John Willis
Age: 29
Birth Year: abt 1821
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1850: Southern District, Patrick, Virginia
Gender: Male
Family Number: 848
Household Members:
Name Age
John Willis 29
Elizabeth Willis 28
Sally Willis 76
Hardin Smith 20

Child by Elizabeth:
Christopher Columbus "Lum" Willis b. 24 Sep 1850, d. 113 Feb 1940.

Married 2nd Nancy M. Hiatt McMillion, widow of Samuel McMillion and daughter of Josiah Hiatt and Absilla Alesley White, on 7 Mar 1854 in Patrick Co VA

Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: John Willis
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Birth Place: Patrick Cty., VA.
Marriage Date: 7 Mar 1854
Marriage Place: Patrick, Patrick, Virginia
Father: Joseph Willis
Mother: Sally Willis
Spouse: Nancy M. Mcmillion
FHL Film Number: 2048468
Reference ID: im 476

Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: Nancy M. Mcmillion
[Nancy M. Hiatt]
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Widowed
Birth Place: Patrick Cty., VA.
Marriage Date: 7 Mar 1854
Marriage Place: Patrick, Patrick, Virginia
Father: Josiah Heate [Hiatt}
Mother: Misella Heate [Absilla Hiatt}
Spouse: John Willis
FHL Film Number: 2048468
Reference ID: im 476

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John Willis
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1821
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: South District, Patrick, Virginia
Post Office: Ararat
Dwelling Number: 37
Family Number: 37
Occupation: Farmer
Real Estate Value: 500
Personal Estate Value: 300
Household Members:
Name Age
John Willis 39
Nancy Willis 40
Columbus Willis 9
Elizabeth M Willis 3
Lorenzo D McMillion 19

U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865
Name: John Willis
Residence: Patrick County, Virginia
Enlistment Date: 25 Mar 1864
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Patrick County, Virginia
State Served: Virginia
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company D, Virginia 12th Infantry Regiment on 25 Mar 1864.
Sources: The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

Wounded 5 may 1864.

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: John Willis
Age in 1870: 43
Birth Year: abt 1827
Birthplace: Virginia
Dwelling Number: 352
Home in 1870: Dan River, Patrick, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farmer
Male Citizen Over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 200
Real Estate Value: 100
Household Members:
Name Age
John Willis 43
Nancy Willis 50
Columbus Willis 19
Elizabeth M Willis 13

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John Willis
Age: 59
Birth Date: Abt 1821
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Dan River, Patrick, Virginia, USA
Dwelling Number: 84
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Willis
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
John Willis 59
Nancy Willis 59
Matilda Willis 22