A Tribute to Charles Willis

This Countdown pays tribute to Charles Willis, our brother in Christ who died Sunday, March 12, in Kinston, North Carolina.  He was only 65.

We will miss him.  He died of increasing complications as a result of the stroke he suffered in August of last year.  High blood pressure runs in the family.

A family memorial is being held in New Jersey.  It was Charles' wish that his ashes be scattered at the grave of his father, Ralph Victor Willis.  Besides brothers and sisters, Charles is survived by his mother, Beatrice (87).  Charles is also survived by three adult children, Gregory, Bonnie and Brenda, and one grandson.  Gregory, who has some knowledge of the Bible, was beginning to ask the kind of questions that may indicate he is searching for the truth.  Charles had three brothers, Ralph Jr., Howard (deceased), and Larry.  He also had three sisters, Bernice, Shirley, and Ida.

When Charles was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1941, as the world plunged into World War II, God knew that He was going to use Charles - but Charles did not know it until 1997.  That is when he responded to the Gospel message that had changed so many lives before.  He had seen and heard Herbert W Armstrong on TV, but did not ask for counseling until more than a decade later.  God granted Charles repentance.  "The goodness of God leads to repentance."  (Romans 2:4)  Charles was given teh gift of faith in Jesus Christ as his personal savior.  "By the grace [of Christ Jesus] you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."  (Ephesians 2:8)

Beatrice had not heard from her son for twenty four years, and she did not know if he was dead or alive.  Charles had studied law at one time, but then his life took a turn for the worse.  Too embarrassed to return home, Charles moved away.  When he came to himself, he asked, "What must I do to be baptized?"  He expected to hear the answer, "study and pray."  Instead, much to Charles'  chagrin, he was told, "Go see your mother."  He answered, "Do I have to?"  He was told, "We are a commandment keeping Church - and one of the ten commandments is - "Go see your mother!"  It was the hardest thing he ever had to do - but his actions and attitude were clearly - fruits of repentance.  "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance."  (Matthew 3:8)

Charles' conversion began in earnest when he was given God’s Holy Spirit at baptism in 2001.  "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  (Acts 2:38)

Charles was 65 years old when he died, but God had completed the conversion process in him that takes place on this earth. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 1:6)

Charles' life and journey to conversion is a picture of God's loving intervention.  His is a classical example of how one is called out of the world to become a child of God.  He grew in grace and knowledge to the point where he will be useful to Christ in His millennial rule.  "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: ...but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."  (Revelation 20:6)

A friend said of him, "He'd pick me up - Charles was quick with a 'good word'."  His brother said of Charles, "Everybody loved Chuck - since he was a kid."  It is interesting that Charles responded to a calling that was going to every nation.  It was a gospel message that was supported by brethren who were more unified than any other group had been for thousands of years.  Charles believed in the unity and oneness of the brethren.  "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."  (John 17:21)  "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13)  Charles was faithful till the end.

There were three ladies who were constantly by Charles' side during his ordeal in the hospital after his stroke.  One of them said, "Charles is the dad I wished I always had - I have known this man as my step father since I was eleven years old."

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Brethren, Passover is less than a month away.  Passover trials are heavy this year - please continue to pray for one another. The Passover and footwashing service will be observed this year on Tuesday evening, April 11th. The Night To Be Much Observed is the next evening, April 12th. The First Day of Unleavened Bread is Thursday, April 13th.  "Passover At Home" Audio Cassette tapes are being sent out.  If you are planning to keep Passover alone, or with a few brethren, and you are in need of a Passover tape, please send us your request as soon as possible.

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"This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14)

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