Community mourns local coach and volunteer
Richard (Rick/Dick) Arthur Willis, a Chatham-raised community stalwart who spent most of his married life in Corunna, has died after a lengthy illness. He passed away on Sept. 2, 2026, at the age of 83. Willis was known locally for his decades of involvement in youth sport and community recreation, including coaching hockey in Mooretown and baseball in Corunna and as a longtime member of the Mooretown Golf Course.
Born on May 29, 1943, Willis grew up in the Chatham/Kent area and maintained deep ties to the region throughout his life. As a youth he performed on trumpet with the Chatham Police Boys Band, travelling across Ontario for parades and competitions — an early sign of his engagement with organised community activity.
Family life and local ties
Willis spent more than five decades married to Helen Donna May (Davidson) Willis; she predeceased him in 2014. In recent years he was in a common-law relationship with Barbara Kinny.
- Children: two daughters, Kelly (Paul) Brown and Kim (Craig) Davie.
- Step-family: Barb’s son Brad (Helene) Kinny.
- Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: a large extended family including Emily Rodrigues-Gormley, Cameron David, Abby Brown and Danica David; as well as several step-grandchildren and numerous great- and step-great-grandchildren.
"cherished grandchildren"
Obituaries and family notices describe Willis as a proud grandfather who took great pleasure in the lives and achievements of his family. He was also an avid sports fan — a lifelong supporter of the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Tigers — who continued playing both hockey and baseball well into adulthood.
Local recreation and volunteerism
Willis’s involvement in community sports extended beyond spectating. He coached youth hockey in Mooretown and youth baseball in Corunna, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with generations of young athletes. He was also a regular at the Mooretown Golf Course, participating in several leagues and local events.
Those who knew him in the community recall his steady presence on the sidelines and at local clubs. His earlier years in the Chatham Police Boys Band showed the same dedication to group activity and mentorship that characterised his later volunteer work.
Survivors and remembrances
Willis’s immediate survivors include his daughters, his common-law partner and an extended network of grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Nancy (Charles) McIntosh and nephews Micheal and Mark McIntosh, along with other relatives and friends who will remember his contributions to local sport and recreation.
| Born | Died | Main community ties |
|---|---|---|
| May 29, 1943 | Sept. 2, 2026 | Chatham, Corunna, Mooretown |
Funeral arrangements and service details were published by the family. In lieu of bouquets, those wishing to remember Willis are encouraged to reflect on his long-standing support for youth sport and local recreation programs that shaped so many experiences in Chatham-area communities.
His life — from the brass of a youth band to coaching on frozen rinks and ball diamonds — reflects a pattern of civic involvement that remains a familiar thread across Ontario’s small cities and towns: dedicated volunteers who anchor local clubs and leagues and provide opportunities for young people to learn teamwork, discipline and community pride.
