Willis was a graduate of Fillmore Central School, class of 1956, where he served as class president. In 1960 he graduated from Houghton College (University) with a BA in history and psychology and went on to receive his master’s degree from SUNY Geneseo and earn a PhD in Educational Administration from University of Buffalo.
While at Houghton, he worked on the construction crew that built the Charles Wesley Chapel, and shortly after graduating he was drafted into the Army where he served in Fort Bragg, NC. In 1962, he launched his career in education as a 4th grade teacher at Fillmore Central School and later served as principal of Friendship Central School. He began working full time at Houghton University in 1980 where he invested decades of his career, even volunteering into retirement until 2024. At Houghton, he was a professor, registrar, and head of the adult continuing education program. A visionary, Willis pioneered distance learning technology long before video calls were possible. Known to generations of students, faculty, and staff as “Dr. B,” he carried a reputation for always being willing to help anyone who came through his door, genuinely delighting in finding creative solutions to a problem. Willis also enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday school at Houghton Wesleyan Church where he was a devoted member.
Throughout his life, Willis was a man of many hobbies, a sign of his innate curiosity and creativity. In his younger days, he could be spotted cruising the rolling hills of Allegany County on his motorcycle or behind the wheel of his Ford Mustang Mach 1. He relished connecting with others around the world on his ham radio, and his interest in photography prompted him to occasionally transform his bathroom into a makeshift darkroom. An expert hunter and fisherman, Willis took great pride in crafting his own arrows and ammunition and passing along those skills to the next generation.
In his retirement years Willis could be found attending his grandchildren’s sporting and music events, visiting his brother’s farm, flying his drone, exploring digital photography and the latest gadgets, reading all genres of books from historical fiction to theology, rooting for the Bills, having coffee with friends, and continuing to hunt and fish. His boundless zest for life and optimism about the possibilities of an ordinary day were evident to the end.
Surviving along with his wife Elizabeth are their three children, Joel (Bridget) Beardsley, Julia (Michael) O’Brien, Jonathan Beardsley, six grandchildren, Madeline Beardsley, Carson Beardsley, Liam O’Brien, Ioan O’Brien, Davida Beardsley and Ayowole Beardsley; his brother Roger (Deborah) Beardsley, brother Lynn Beardsley; and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Joel Beardsley and sister Joyce Krupnik.
Family and friends may gather from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Houghton Wesleyan Church, 9712 Route 19, Houghton. Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden will officiate. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make donations to Houghton University https://www.houghton.edu/giving/
