Rest in Peace, Big A

 

Archie Decatur Willis, Jr., 85, husband of Dorothy Henderson Willis, of Mt. Pleasant, died May 2, 2012, surrounded by his family.  Born November 1, 1926 in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late Archie Decatur Willis and Mary Iona McAlister Willis.  He graduated from Belmont Abbey, Belmont, NC and attended The Citadel .  He later went on to serve our country honorably in the United States Army and had a distinguished career of 41 years as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the United States Army Reserves.    He went on to work for Standard Oil in Walterboro, SC.  At the death of his two uncles, James and John McAlister, he brought his family back to Charleston to continue the traditions of funeral service established there by his grandfather, John McAlister in 1886.  As President and Owner of McAlister Funeral Home, he ensured the traditions would be continued well into the future.  His business continues on today as McAlister-Smith Funeral Home with the same commitment to serving families with compassion, humor and love that he embodied.  He was also a member of the American Legion, The Elks, Quis- Qui, The New England Society, Knights of Columbus, and a member of the “Frequent Shoppers Club” of EVERY grocery store in Mt. Pleasant.   

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 36 years; his children, Patricia Willis Weaver (William) of Madison, AL, Barbara Willis Ankersen (Rocky) of Mt. Pleasant ,Archie Decatur Willis, III (Laurel) of Mt. Pleasant, and  Joan Vaden Younglund (Kevin) of Mt. Pleasant; his grandchildren, Brian Weaver (Angi) of Lenexa, KS, Jeffrey Weaver (Alicia) of Tampa, FL, Erin Willis of North Charleston, Erica Ankersen Geddie (Ian) of Charleston, Sarah Willis (Justin Ayers) of Mt. Pleasant , Allie Ankersen of Charleston, and Amanda and Connor Younglund of Mt. Pleasant; his great-grandchildren,  Riley and Avery Weaver, Henry Van Buren and Isabella Geddie; his sister, Mary Willis Bennett, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and many nieces and nephews.  The family also wishes to thank his longtime caregiver, Evelyn Brown, for all of her love and dedication.  

The family will receive friends Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 1-3PM and 5-7PM with the Rosary being recited at 5PM at MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 Hassel St.  The Committal service will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery with Military Honors.   Donations may be made in his honor to Tara Hall, 510 Tara Hall Rd., Georgetown, SC 29440.