Dr. Nathaniel “Nate” Willis Sr., 80, died Thursday, June 20, 2002 at University of Chicago Hospital from complications sustained after a fall in April. “Nate”, as he was affectionately known to his family, friends and colleagues, was a friend and ex-husband of Eleanor Marie Willis, retired Chicago Public School teacher; loving father of Michelle (Michael) Williams, Dr. Deborah (Eric) Willis-Fillinger, Nathaniel “Chips” Willis Jr., Dr. Elizabeth (Eryck) Pryor, Jocelyn (Stanley) McClelland and Kamau Foluke; adored grandfather of Tiana Bey, Nathaniel Willis III, Brandon, Morgan, Tyler McClelland, Erin and Eriel Pryor, Sundiata and Ayinde Foluke; encouraging uncle of Michael Harrington, Barbara (Lee) Cross, Anita (Parees) Wright and Gina Goines; and faithful companion of Dr. Katherine Gross Williams. Dr. Willis will be lying in state from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 28 at A.A. Rayner & Sons, 318 E. 71st St. Funeral Service Saturday, June 29, wake at 9 a.m., funeral at 10 a.m. at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Avenue. Interment immediately following at Burr Oak Cemetery. Family invites friends and colleagues to a repast at 2 p.m. at Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave. In honor of Dr. Willis’ passion for education, in lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to the Council For Bio-Medical Careers, PO Box 497253, Chgo, IL 60649, 312-567-3092. Please direct all inquiries regarding services to A.A. Rayner & Sons, 773-846-6133.
