Book 'Reflections of a WWII Veteran'
Paul J. Willis - Company G, 329th Infantry Regiment
World War II Veteran Paul Willis reflects on both, war and life, in this collection of poems written over the past 60 years. His poetry reflects his rich personal experiences and his love of history. With the help of Brenda Hughes, a documentary filmmaker, Paul Willis published Reflections of a World War II Veteran, a collection of his work. REFLECTIONS is one more way to remember the price of freedom and those who have so selflessly served. Released in 2016.
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T/Sgt. Paul J. Willis
Technical Sergeant
Paul J. Willis
T/Sgt. Paul J. Willis
Paul James Willis was born November 14, 1920 in Hope, Arkansas to Ruth Clark and Claude Willis and had proudly called Canton his home since 1936.
On August 18, 1943, Paul Willis was inducted into the United States Army, serving in Company G, 329th Infantry as a Technical Sergeant during World War II. He landed in Normandy two weeks after D-Day. During his three years of service, he saw action in Normandy, Brittany, Luxembourg, the Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhine River. The hedgerows of Normandy were his most horrendous experience. He was wounded in action on January 13, 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge. Along other decorations Paul Willis earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the EAME Campaign Medal with 5 bronze stars for the five Campaigns and the Purple Heart Medal. On October 23, 2017, Paul Willis, 97, from Canton, North Carolina, was awarded the French Legion of Honor by the French Consul General, Louis de Corail, at a ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee. The French Legion of Honor, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is the highest decoration bestowed by France.
After the war, Paul returned to his North Carolina home where he worked at a paper and fiber company. His wife, Evelyn, raised their two sons. Paul retired from Champion International with 45 years of dedicated service. Mr. Willis was a faithful member of Rockwood Methodist Church where he had taught Sunday School for more than 70 years, continuing to teach his class up until the week before he passed away. He also began writing poetry – first, little jingles for colleagues – and then, more thoughtful, inspiring poems reflecting his experiences and love of history. For the past sixty years, Paul has continued to write about the war, nature, the earth, and hope for the future. He was a member of the American Legion Post #61 in Canton.
On January 16, 2018 a man who loved his Lord, loved his family and loved his country, Paul James Willis, age 97, entered his eternal heavenly home. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn Blythe Willis who passed away in 2015.
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