Thomas Clay Wills
After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Thomas “Tommy” Clay Wills, 73, of Troy, Virginia passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on August 28, 2024.
Tommy was born on September 13, 1950 to the late Curtis and Dorothy Wills.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Wallace “Boots” Wills and James “Jimmy” Wills, father-in-law Basil Morris, brother-in-law William “Stewart” Sprouse, and sister-in-law Joanne Wills.
Tommy is survived by his devoted wife of 27 years, Cheryl Wills; sons Christopher Wills, Curtis Wills (Crystal Bickley Evatt), and Jonathan Wills (Nicole Strycharz-Wills); stepdaughter Wendy Murrelle; sister Mary Tilman (David); mother-in-law Vernell Morris; brother-in-law Greg Morris (Lissa); sister-in-law Deborah Sprouse, sister-in-law Donna Wills; and his sons’ mother Martie Wills. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tyler Wills, Brenden Wills, McKenzie Wills, Dylan Wills, Logan Dunnivan, Hayden Armentrout, Raylen Wills, Caleb, Jacob, Oscar, Silas, Ayla, Shiloh, Aryan Owens, Michael Owens; his great-grandchildren Wade Wills, Eli Wills, Cody Wills, Braylynn Baker, Renn Baker; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tommy graduated from Fluvanna County High School. During his professional career, he worked in telecommunications for several large providers, including S&N Communications, Inc. and Lamberts Cable Splicing Company. He served as Farm Manager for several large estate farms in Albemarle County and co-owned and operated a lawncare and landscaping business with his wife.
Tommy was a masterful tradesman and freely and generously shared his many talents with his family and friends. All who knew him share stories about how willingly he helped them. Helping others brought him much joy. He had a quick wit, enormous sense of humor, and a mischievous smile and twinkle in his eye that brought laughter to those around him. He is deeply loved and will be truly missed.
The family thanks the Sentara Martha Jefferson Cancer Center, Dr. Jefferson Prichard, and Trinity Hospice for their dedicated and loving care. A special thanks also to caregivers Wendy Murrelle, Jamie Wills Wood, Wanda Bickley, Crystal Bickley Evatt, Curt Wills, and Deborah Sprouse.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM in the chapel at Preddy Funeral Home – Gordonsville, located at 301 South Main Street, Gordonsville, VA. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM, also at the Preddy Funeral Home - Gordonsville Chapel. Interment will immediately follow at Holly Memorial Gardens, located at 3251 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Cancer Center at https://mjhfoundation.org/impact/cancer-care/cancer-care-donation/, Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, 500 Martha Jefferson Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or to Trinity Hospice, 812 Moorefield Park Drive, Richmond, VA 23236.
