Willis W. Peyton

KJV…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die……John 11:25-26

Willis Washington Peyton was born on August 14, 1936 in King George County to the late Randolph and Carrie Brown Peyton. God allowed him to sojourn here for 89 years before peacefully transitioning into eternal life on August 14, 2025, which was his 89th birthday.

Willis was the sixth of eleven children. At an early age, he accepted Christ and united with the Good Hope Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Ralph E. Cabbell.

Willis attended Sunday School and worship services regularly under the leadership of his parents who were faithful and committed leaders in the church; his father being a trustee and his mother a deaconess.

When Willis reached the age of accountability, he became an usher. He loved ushering so much that he continuing serving down through the years until the ministry leaders made him an honorary usher due to his age. Even then he helped when there was a need.

Willis was employed by Wilkerson’s Restaurant doing whatever was needed. He never said no and he never complained, moving hurriedly from one task to the next including working on their farm. The Wilkerson family was good to him and looked out for his welfare, even when he was no longer employed with them. They helped him get his mobile home and helped him take care of his finances, they took him out on holidays and his birthdays. They affectionately referred to his as “Willy”. He was their Willy and they truly loved him.

He was a community and church helper. He loved to help outdoors raking leaves, cutting grass beautifying the grounds. He was a very kind and lovable person. Even though we tried, we could never slow him down.

Willis was predeceased by nine of his siblings and his nieces Carrie and Rachel and nephews Abraham Jr., Theodore, Nathaniel and Antonio. He is survived by two sisters, Rebecca Mitchell, the older sister who cared for him and took care of his necessities, and Delores Johnson; nine nephews; Samuel, Lester, Clinton II, Stacey, Benjamin, Larry, Kervin, Omar and Clifford; seven nieces, Revella, Renee, Denise, Sylvia, Ella, Tania and Rebecca; a host of great nephews, great nieces, cousins and friends and his special friends William Dudley and Jamie Weedon.

Willis favorite church song was “I want Jesus to walk with me”.