Jeffrey Hinckley Willis

Aug. 2, 1937 – Aug. 23, 2015

Jeffrey Hinckley Willis of Ashburn, Va., died at home on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, following an eight-month battle with liver cancer. He was 78 years old and was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.Jeff was born and raised in Cody. His love for his hometown and the state of Wyoming ran deep, as he frequently shared stories of his youth and the adventures of growing up in Cody. Jeff was an active and popular student at Cody High School, serving in various choir, thespian, speech, cheer, athletic and student council roles, including Student Council President and varsity quarterback for all four football seasons. He was also the delegate chosen to represent Wyoming at both Boys’ State and Boys’ Nation in Washington, D.C., a highly coveted honor among those chosen from across the United States to represent the leaders of tomorrow.[caption id="attachment_10266" align="alignright" width="254"] Jeffrey Hinckley Willis[/caption]Jeff went on to serve a two-year church mission in the Indiana/Chicago area and eventually graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary education. At BYU, he continued to pursue his love of both dancing and acting, and he formed friendships that remained strong through his final days. Upon graduating, Jeff worked as a principal and teacher at an elementary school in Iran for three years. He enjoyed a 35-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, serving in numerous roles with the Office of Personnel Management. Much of his time was in the HR benefits arena, and he was the first “official” casualty officer, assisting the families of fallen agency employees. His last assignment was in the Career Transition program, where he helped officers as they faced a new life after retirement. Following his career with the CIA, Jeff joined his wife, Judy, an established realtor with Long & Foster. They worked successfully as a team in Loudoun County, Va., for 15 years.Jeff was a man of great faith and pioneer heritage and was an active, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held several church-appointed leadership positions in Sterling, Oakton, McLean, Hamilton and Ashburn, Va. He served as bishop of the Sterling Park Ward and the Shenandoah Ward for young single adults, was branch president of the Dulles Branch and was bishopric counselor for the Langley Ward for young single adults. Additional church callings included employment specialist, emergency preparedness specialist, children’s primary teacher and early morning seminary teacher for the youth for 18 years. He was a natural missionary throughout his life and freely shared his testimony and love of the Lord with others.He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Judith Ann George Willis, his children, daughter Gretchen Judith Willis Stevenson of Leesburg, Va., and her husband Jay, son Colby Frederick Willis of Fuquay Varina, N.C., and his wife Julie, son Christopher Jon Willis of Eagle Mountain, Utah, and his wife Becky, son Frederick William “F.W.” Willis of Buena Vista, Va., and his wife, Brinn, and nine grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Seldon Stratton Willis and Wyoming Taggart Hinckley, his sister Lynn Willis Scott and his son Gregory George Willis.Services were held Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 21015 Claiborne Parkway in Ashburn, Va. Interment followed at the Sterling Cemetery.Memorial donations may be offered through the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation at P.O. Box 405, Herndon, VA 20172-0405 or www.ciamemorialfoundation.org.