Charles Marvin Willis Sr., age 87, of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Charles was born and raised in the Sand Hill Community, the son of the late Ira Horace Willis and Jewel Cleo Wren Willis. Throughout his life, he was guided by a deep Christian faith, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a genuine sense of responsibility to the community he called home. His vision, leadership, and love for people helped shape Carrollton's business and civic landscape for more than half a century.

Charles's career began when he was only 16 years old, working for The Kroger Company. Over the years, he worked at several Kroger locations, learning the value of hard work, attentive service, and personal relationships. He eventually became a co-manager, but his ambition and love for business led him to pursue a dream of his own.

Charles attended West Georgia College from 1957 until 1959 and Georgia State College from 1960 until 1961 before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. While at the University of Georgia, he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity.

In July 1963, Charles helped open The Squire Shop in downtown Carrollton. What began as a men's clothing store grew into a beloved local institution. For more than four decades, Charles fitted generations of young men for their first prom tuxedos, helped grooms prepare for their wedding days, and assisted families in selecting clothing for life's most meaningful occasions. Many customers who first met Charles as teenagers later returned with their children and grandchildren.

Charles also operated Carrollton's Baskin-Robbins ice cream franchise for a time, giving Charles's sons an early introduction to the family business. His son Chuck later joined him at The Squire Shop before eventually opening Willis Jewelry on the square. After selling The Squire Shop, Charles discovered that retirement did not suit him and went to work alongside Chuck at Willis Jewelry. There, he continued doing what he loved most: visiting with customers, helping people mark special moments, and sharing one of his famously corny jokes.

For Charles, business was never simply about making a sale. It was about building relationships, serving people well, and contributing to the vitality of his community. He believed people wanted to do business with someone who genuinely cared about their needs and would still be there after the sale. That philosophy earned him the trust and friendship of generations of customers.

His passion for business was inseparable from his passion for downtown Carrollton. Charles believed deeply in the importance of a strong and vibrant downtown, and he worked tirelessly to preserve and renew the heart of the city. He was instrumental in establishing Carrollton Main Street in 1985 and remained a devoted advocate for the revitalization of downtown Carrollton.

That same year, Charles developed Courtyard Square, which he was president of until Carroll County purchased the property in 1998. Through projects such as Courtyard Square and his support of Carrollton Main Street, Charles helped create renewed energy downtown and demonstrated his belief that locally owned businesses and thoughtfully developed public spaces were essential to a thriving community.

Charles's commitment to Carrollton reached well beyond his own businesses. He served as president of the Carrollton Rotary Club and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the hospital board and helped bring Loy Howard to Tanner, strengthening the future of healthcare in the community. He also served on the boards of West Georgia National Bank and, later, First National Bank.

His civic involvement included leadership in the Carrollton Jaycees, where he served as president, and in Region Three of the Georgia Jaycees, where he also served as president. His service was recognized when he was named Outstanding Local Chapter President and Outstanding Region President of the Georgia Jaycees. In 1969, he received a Jaycee International Senatorship, one of the organization's highest honors.

Charles also served in leadership roles with the Carrollton Merchants Association, the Carrollton Kiwanis Club, the city fund drive and the Boy Scouts of America. He supported the work of the Carroll County Association for Retarded Citizens, now known as the ARC, and consistently gave his time and abilities to organizations working to improve the lives of others.

Although his professional and civic accomplishments were numerous, Charles's Christian faith was the foundation beneath them all. He was formerly a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and choir director. He later became a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon. His faith was expressed not only through his service in the church, but also through the honesty, generosity, and kindness with which he conducted his business and treated others.

One of the most important chapters of Charles's life began on February 6, 1956, when he went on his first date with Phyllis Finnell. The two were married on September 18, 1959, beginning a loving partnership that spanned nearly 67 years. Together, they built a life centered upon faith, family, hard work, and service to others.

Charles was proud of his sons and deeply loved his grandchildren. He approached fatherhood with the same combination of wisdom, warmth, and humor that characterized the rest of his life. Looking back on raising his boys, he once joked that they had not gotten away with nearly as much as they thought they had. He took great pleasure in watching his family grow and considered the life he and Phyllis shared to be among his greatest blessings.

Those who knew Charles will remember his charming personality, his constant jokes, and his remarkable ability to make people feel welcome. He loved conversation and genuinely enjoyed learning about others' lives. Whether he was fitting a young man for a tuxedo, helping someone choose a special gift, discussing plans for downtown Carrollton, or serving alongside others in the church and community, Charles gave people his full attention and made them feel that they mattered.

Charles's legacy can be seen throughout the community he loved; in the businesses he built, the organizations he strengthened, the downtown he helped revitalize, and the countless relationships he formed along the way. More importantly, his legacy lives in the example he set: work hard, serve faithfully, invest in your community, care for people, and never miss an opportunity to make someone smile.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his two-year-old daughter, Terri Lynn Willis, and his brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Kay Willis.

Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis Finnell Willis; his sons and daughter-in-law, Charles Marvin "Chuck" Willis Jr. & Melissa Allen Willis, and Jonathan Wade Willis; six grandchildren, Liam Hulistine, Grace Hulstine, Charles M. "Charlie" Willis III, Reagan Willis, Brooke Skylar Willis, and Jacob Grant Willis; his niece and nephews, Kimberly Stubbs, Michael Willis, and Jason Willis; and a number of extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Tabernacle Baptist Church with Dr. Stephen Allen and Daniel Jackson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, the church Charles faithfully called home for more than 50 years. Gifts may be made online at tabernacle.org or mailed to 150 Tabernacle Drive, Carrollton, Georgia 30117.

Martin & Hightower Funeral Home is honored to serve the Willis family during this difficult time. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com.