Pickens, Willis Eugene
Born into Eternal Life on Monday, December 27, 2021, at age 82 after. He was preceded in death by both parents, Arthur Pickens and Mattie Edwards; his loving first wife, Margie Pickens; and wonderful grandson, Dominique Pickens.
Cherished father of his beloved children: Brian Pickens, Candace (Michael) Nichols, Reginald (Julie Landry) Pickens; Shawn Young, Devon Pickens, NaTasha Pickens, Marlon Pickens, Shonta Pickens, and Allison Pickens; grandchildren: Denell Childs, Dontae Williams, Brian Pickens, Brice Pickens, Braelyn Pickens, all of Orlando, FL, Michael Nichols, Jr., Maya Nichols, Sydney Pickens, Crystal Neal, Shawn Young, Jr., Niah Young, Marlon Pickens, Jr., Jhordyn Pickens, Devon Pickens-Simmons, Blake Saniford, Shy’Ann Saniford, LaShonda Reeves, Camari Thornton, Brooklyn Grant, all of Milwaukee, WI. He also leaves to cherish his memory: Beloved Loraine Frazier, and his wonderful caregiver, Nikki Harmon, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Visitation is on Saturday, January 15, 2022, 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM. Celebration of Life is at 1:00 PM. Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Born in Memphis, TN, Willis and his family moved to Milwaukee, WI when he was a teen and he attended Lincoln High School. With his love of roller skating, he met his first wife, Margie. Willis went on to have a successful 32-year career as a welder with A.O. Smith. He had a natural ability for auto body repair and painting and became a small business owner of Willis & Sons Auto Body Enterprises.
In his leisure time, Willis enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, fishing, riding his motorcycle, watching the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Bucks, and spending time with family and friends. With his love of bowling, he was in a league for many years, he received quite a few trophies, a ring for bowling a near perfect score of 298 and appeared on the TV show Bowling for Dollars. He was known as Good Shooter by many for his impeccable skills on the pool table. He was also a member of the Double-Eagle Motorcycle Club.
Willis was so special to many people. He was wise, loving, kind, funny, supportive, dependable, encouraging and someone you could always count on. His word was his bond.
“DAD, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED, REMEMBERED AND MISSED.”