The story begins on March 19, 1941, God sent one of his beloved sons into the world.  Robert Earl Willis was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, mentor, pastor, teacher, caregiver, maestro and friend. He was born to the late Caesear and Vernell Willis where he was the third of five children.  He was cherished by his family, friends, and all that knew him.

Robert was educated in the Houston Independent School District. He attended Crawford Elementary, E.O. Smith Junior High, and he was a proud graduate of Phillis Wheatley High School where he graduated a year early with honors in 1958. Later, he attended Texas Southern University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy with a minor in Music.  He was a science and mathematics prodigy and a trained classical pianist upon his college graduation. Robert alsoearned a Master of Theology from the Houston Graduate School of Theology.

Although Robert had a pharmacy background, he made a career working at the Houston Post Office. After serving almost 30 years at the post office, he retired in 1992. After his retirement, he began to serve as an associate teacher for the Houston Independent School District where he continued to mold the lives of our youth today.

Robert married Allye Mae Butts in 1967. To this union, four beautiful children were born, Tony, Renae, Traci, and Sheva.  Robert was an excellent provider for his family.  He was always teaching his children about the positive values of life and how to plan for the future.

Robert accepted Christ at any early age, and he was called to preach the word in the early 1980's. Later, he became the pastor of Aldine Bible Baptist Church, New Progressive Baptist Church, and Greater St. Luke's Missionary Baptist Church until his retirement from the ministry in 2019. His love for the church and community was a testament of his faith. He lived his life for Christ and he made sure his family was rooted and grounded in the Word as well.

Robert was a gifted child. His mother and father recognized his talents early on and found a way to get a piano for him at a very young age. He taught himself to play the piano by ear before he took formal lessons at the age of 10 because he was so determined to play. At the age of 12, he got his first job playing for a church. He could not reach the pedals, but he had great skills playing the piano and the organ. Robert has been the minister of music for several churches in the Houston area. Just to name a few, he ministered at First St. Mark's Baptist Church, Sunlight Baptist Church, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Hopewell Baptist Church, Brentwood Baptist Church, and Wesley Chapel AME Church.

He was a renowned piano teacher and many of his students still remember coming to his home on Saturday mornings to receive theirlessons in his piano-living room. Although Robert played the piano most of his life, he became the piano accompanist under the infamousClyde Owens Jackson with the Houston Post Office Chorale. He learned so much from the conductor Clyde Owens Jackson that later he became the Director of the Houston Post Office Chorale. This famous choir would also practice every Saturday at Robert's home in his piano-living room. Under his leadership, in the late 1970's, the Choraleproduced two recording albums with his son, Tony as the drummer boyand Jacqueline Chambers as the pianist. There was also one albumproduced with the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church Celestial Choir. The Houston Post Office Chorale put on many concerts monthly. Their concerts were standing room only! To this day, the members of the Houston Post Office Chorale were identified as Robert and Allye's lifelong friends.

In his pastime, Robert was also an avid bowler where he and Allye bowled every Saturday in a league. He was also an energetic and trash-talking pinocle player. He and his pinocle buddies would play all night long. Robert also loved to swim in his pool and to travel in his RV.

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, God looked down and decided that Robert's time on earth has been fulfilled and it was time to take his rightful place by His side. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Caesear and Vernell Willis and wife, Allye Mae Willis.

Robert leaves to cherish his memories, 1 son, Tony Bernard Willis, 3 daughters, Renae Willis Tyler (Terry), Traci Willis King, Sheva Willis Keener (Darron); Sister, Dororthy Jean Baldwin, brothers, AW Willis (Iveria), Lynois Willis, and Harold Willis (Jackie); 13 grandchildren,Dontay Willis, Tony Willis II, Troy Willis, Brandon Fonville, Katrina Willis, Kristina Willis, Bryson Scott, Devin Dillard, Cameron King, Chandler Rockward, Alan King, Chelsey Keener, and Aaron Willis; 13 great-grandchildren, and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.