Willis Comer
Early March 28, 2023 the world lost a wonderful man. Willis Edwin Comer from Charleston, West Virginia passed away at the age of 91 from COVID.
He was born September 13, 1931 to Ernest R. and Rillie Comer. Whether it was hunting, fishing, or napping under a tree, Willis loved the outdoors and he also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a jack of all trades for 44 years at McJunkin Corporation and would always have a story to tell about his experiences there. He was one of the founding members of the Volunteer Loudendale Fire Department. And later, he and his wife were members of the Appalachian American Indian Society.
Willis was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Elenora Comer, his son, Steve Comer, his sisters Freda Gay (James), Christine Simpson (Roy), Ernestine Toney (John), Thelma Pauley (Blair), and his brothers Joseph Comer (Mary Jo) and Tim Comer (Sharon); baby siblings, Ladora Comer and John Comer; great-granddaughter, Destiny Bailey; and his special friend Phyllis Gunnoe.
He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Virginia Comer (Steve); daughter, Debbie (Dick) Houck; grandchildren, Shelly (Robbie) Comer, Jeremy (Rosie) Comer, Mandee (Lenny) Wilson, and Jessica (Mark) Pipkin; great-grandchildren, Tori Bailey (Cody), Caden Comer (Abbigail), Taylor Pipkin, and Kenna Pipkin; and great-great-grandchildren, Denver Jett Campbell, and Ezra Joe Campbell.
His bright-eyed smile, wisdom and great conversation will be sorely missed by all.
A service to Honor the Life of Willis will be held at 11:30 am, Wednesday April 5, 2023 at Snodgrass Funeral Home (4122 MacCorkle Ave., South Charleston, WV 25309) with Minister Aaron Midkiff officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Floral Hills Garden of Memories (6839 Sissonville Dr., Sissonville, WV).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting https://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home.
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As a member of the department that he helped build. I want to offer my condolences and offer any assistance that you may want or need from us here at the station.
I remember sitting with him on Saturday mornings watching cartoons. He seemed genuinely happy to pass this valuable time with me…eating Cheetos…doing nothing. He could find happiness pretty easy.
Papaw was the most level-headed jack-of-all-trades guy I knew. He could figure out how to fix anything and he enjoyed figuring it out. He thought quite a bit before responding in a conversation. He tried to look at a situation from every angle. If he didn’t say anything, it was my job to read between the lines.
Papaw didn’t believe in aliens or ghosts. He said there was always an explanation for stuff like that. He told me about how there used to be a “ghost” people used to see at the mouth of Kanawha State Forest when he was younger. Of course, it turns out there was a small natural gas leak at that spot that would look spooky when you mixed it with the right weather. I never got around to asking him what he thought of Mothman, but I suspect it would be the same response.
One thing he did believe in was people and I feel like sometimes that’s even harder to do. Papaw wasn’t judgmental. He would say “it takes all kinds”. He would elaborate by explaining that if we were all the same, it would be boring, and that society would never advance if we all thought the same way. These days, even more so, I tend to revert back to what Papaw would say. “It takes all kinds”. Even still, he reminds me to be accepting of others and to continue to learn from others.
He is already missed so much.
I was truly blessed to have this wonderful man for my Papaw for 51yrs.
He showed me the true meaning of a gentleman, so humble & kind and with such impeccable character. His total acceptance, unconditional love, and his loving support will be gifts I will always cherish.
He has been our family’s historian, mentor, playmate, nurturer, role model, confidant, advocate, and adviser.
I have So many great memories with him, fishing, hunting mushrooms, picking berries, getting ice cream at Valley Bell …and when very young Sitting beside him In his recliner sharing a plate of sliced longhorn cheese and crackers watching a funny tv show, because he told me that he only liked shows he could get a laugh from.
I can’t think of a time in my life, I didn’t have you to talk to, you taught me a lot of things, except how to be ok without you. You will be greatly missed.
“Papaw I always wished that you could see yourself through my eyes, only then you would realize how special you are to me. “
Gone but never forgotten , until we meet again
Love, Shelly
Mr. Comer would bring his pontoon to me for service. He would be returning from a day at the lake fishing and have a “mess” of crappie’s to show. Always offered me some! Did not know him other than the little time we shared at the boat shop but always had an interesting story to share. Rest in peace my friend.
Mike and I send heartfelt condolences to his family. From reading about him, it was our loss not to have known him.