The Rev Philip Willis

Born at Shillingthorpe in 1847, son of the second Dr. Francis Willis, and died 8 June 1917. Educated at Uppingham April 1858 - March 1864, then at St John's College, Oxford; B.A. 1867. Curate of Axbridge, Somerset, 1875 - 1884; of Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire, 1884 - 1886; Sympson, Bucks, 1886 - 1888; Thornton with Nash, Bucks, 1888 - 1891; Balsham, Linton, Cambs., 1891 - about 1910.

Married at Westcliff-on Sea in Essex, 24 August 1904, to Eva Mary Gregson. She was born about 1865 at Rochford in Essex, and died 7 May 1953 in Norfolk. Living at Stone Cottage, Thornage, Norfolk, at the time of her death. Effects £1775 11s. No children.

DEATH OF THE REV. PHILIP WILLIS. The death occurred at Leacroft, Kenilworth, last Friday, of the Rev. Philip Willis, aged 69 years, after an illness extending over seven weeks. The deceased, although not robust of later years, yet led a fairly active life until the week after Easter. Mr. Willis had resided at Kenilworth for the past seven years, during which time he had been licensed by the Bishop of Worcester to take occasional duty in the Diocese, and had thus been frequently enabled to give a helping hand in the neighbourhood, and of course the local churches, particularly at St. Barnabas' Mission. He was the fifth son of the late Dr. Francis Willis, of Shillingthorpe Hall, Lincs., and was educated at Uppingham (under Dr. Edmund Thring), at St. John's College. He was ordained Deacon in 1873 and Priest in 1880, and held a number of curacies. He married in 1904, Eva Mary Gregson, fourth daughter of the late William Gregson, of Rochford, Essex, who survives him. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the servicebeing held at St. John’s Church, Kenilworth, and the interment taking place at the Cemetery. The Rev. Walter Clements officiated. The mourners were the widow, the Rev. Canon Basil Jones (brother-in-law), Miss L. Willis (sister). Mr. William R. L. Lowe (cousin), Mr. Edgar Gregson (brother-in-law), the Nurse, and Miss Nellie Upton (maid). Wreaths were sent bv Mrs. Willis (widow); Sisters (at Braceboro’); Canon Basil Jones and all at Llanfair Vicarage; Nellie Upton; the Rev. and Mrs. Walter Clements; Miss Taylor, Miss Draper, and the Misses Cowley; the Hon. Agnes Leigh; Mr. and Mrs. Rivers and Family; Mrs. Halcombe (Brighton); Mr and Mrs. J. H. Bates (Leamington); and others. Leamington Spa Courier, Friday 15 June 1917, p4

The Rev. Philip Willis, M.A., of Seacroft, Waverley Road, Kenilworth, formerly curate of Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire, of Sympson, Bucks, and of Balsham Linton, Cambridgeshire, and licensed to officiate in the Diocese of Worcester from 1910, who died on June 8th last, aged 69 years, left estate of the gross value of £7,504 9s., of which £7.406 0s. 3d. is net personalty. Probate of his will dated 24th August, 1904, has been granted to Mr. Wm. Ross Lewin Lowe, of 2, Temple Gardens, Temple, E.C., solicitor. The testator left £50 each to the executors of his will, and the residue of his estate to his wife for life, with remainder upon trust for his children. Coventry Evening Telegraph, Monday 16 July 1917, p2