Humphrey Lamar Willis

The book of life opened for Mr. Humphrey Lamar Willis (“Cool Breeze”) on December 8, 1944 in Fairfield, Alabama, to the late Mr. Lamar Willis and Mrs. Marie Davis Willis.  On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, the husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend we loved so dearly stretched out his hands to meet his Heavenly Father.  His encouraging voice was forever silenced, his golden heart stopped beating, and his working hands found rest.  Our hearts are broken, but he leaves a rich legacy to cherish.  He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.  Humphrey was preceded in death by his siblings, Willie (Sonny) Willis, Debra (Chic) Houser, and Sara Willis (Tee Tee) Cogman.

He committed his life to Christ at the tender age of twelve and united with Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. John H. Glover.  Humphrey was educated in the Jefferson County School System and graduated in 1962 from Westfield High School. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and served from 1974-1976.  After his tour ended, he matriculated to the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, furthering his education while employed at Ford Motors.  After returning to Birmingham, he met and married the love of his life, Frances Ferrell. He then enrolled in trucking school to pursue his dream of becoming a nationwide truck driver.  After completing truck driving school, he was employed with several trucking companies in the state of Alabama.  He retired from Federal Express in 2017.  His passion to drive the highways and byways throughout the United States lasted more than 30 years until he was limited by declining health

Humphrey was affectionately known by his friends and family as “Cool Breeze” (his trucker’s handle), because he could converse with anybody about anything at any time. He will be remembered by his hilarious jokes, contagious laughter, boisterous voice, and bold sense of humor.

Left to remember his loving laughter and verboseness, with the courage to continue on life’s journey are: his loving and devoted wife of forty years, Frances Willis; three children, Humphrey (Tabrielle) Swanson, Steven Hampton and Tiffany Willis Taylor, all of Birmingham, AL; six grandchildren, Brenta’ Jackson, Ayden Swanson, DeonQuise Jackson, Diara Garret, Kiera Taylor and Eric Taylor, Jr; one great-grandchild, Aubrey Jackson; two sisters, Shirley (Mack) Foy of Birmingham, AL, and Carolyn (Eugene) Perry of Huntsville, AL; two brothers, Ronald Willis of Birmingham, AL and Andre Willis (Selene) of West Hills, CA; a loving aunt, Mary Willis of Birmingham, Al; sisters-in-law, Fannie Ivery of Toledo, OH; Jacquelyn Smith of Simpsonville, SC; Georgia W. Nicholson, Beverly (“BJ”) Kelly,  Leachia Clepper, Dorothy Reynolds, and Cynthia Jordan, all of Birmingham, AL; brothers-in-law, Samuel (Barbara) Greene, Walter (Audie) Ferrell, of Birmingham, AL, William (Deloris) Clepper of Winston-Salem, NC, Bernard Wilson, Lee Morris Wilson, and Dwight (Cheryl) Wilson of Birmingham, AL; one son-in-law, Eric Taylor, Sr. of Dallas, GA; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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