Obituary of Robert H. Willis

Robert H. Willis “Bobby Jr.” was the oldest of five children, born on June 7, 1948, to the late Robert C. Willis and Bettye Jean Willis in Philadelphia, PA. Robert was called home on January 7, 2024, after a long illness. He attended West Philadelphia High School, and received a B.S. in Chemistry from Lincoln University, where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He went on to complete a M.S. in Urban Education from the State University of New York at Geneseo, followed by enlistment in the United States Air Force, and was honorably discharged after achieving the rank of Sergeant. Robert later became a Prince Hall Freemason and was bestowed the 33rd degree. Robert joined the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and served as the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for over 20 years. During his time at APL, he was the President of Maryland MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement), a program designed to motivate minority and female students to enhance their math, science and engineering skills. He continued his career educating students until he retired as an Instructional Aide from Burlington Township High School. Those that knew Robert loved his sense of humor and his ability to make everyone he met feel at ease. In addition to spending time with friends and family, he loved music, hand-dancing, building model airplanes, and attending air shows. Robert is survived by his fiancé Natalie Crawford, who was a loving partner and advocate for him during his life and especially during his illness; former wife Jacqueline Sprague and their children Lisa Willis and her daughter Jordan; Robert Elliot Willis (Fremonia), and their children Anthony, Torri and Jaedon, and Asha Willis (Cesar Rivera) and their son Jackson; stepdaughter Crystal Crawford and her children Tiara, Taniyah, Christopher Jr., and great-granddaughter Sariyah (daughter of Tiara); late stepson Charles Crawford, and his daughter Sandra; and stepson Calif Crawford (Jocelyn) and their son Adam; sisters Marguerite Stanford, Michelle Stone (Allen Stone), Monique Willis (William Banks) and brother Rodney Willis (Diane); aunt Dorothy Mims, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.