Charlene N. Willis, 89, passed away peacefully January 3, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Loving daughter of the late Robert and Marion (Brady) Gordon, Beloved wife of the late Clarence Willis, and Cherished mother of Robert Willis, Gordon (Jean-Marie) Willis and the late Nicole (Gino) Garcia. Proud Nana of Skye Willis, Brittany Willis, Jordan (Halle) Hernandez, Anna Willis, Brandon Willis and Payton Willis.

Born April 12, 1933, in Quincy, Illinois, Charlene attended St. Francis Catholic Grade School and was a graduate of Quincy High School. She married Clarence Willis on April 5, 1952. She loved growing up and raising their family in Quincy. Charlene was very athletic, excelled in playing softball and was an avid sports fan. She worked as a physical therapy technician at St. Mary’s Hospital and retired after her husband’s death in 1987. That same year, she moved to Denver with her teenaged daughter, Nicole, to be closer to her sons, Robert and Gordon Willis.

Charlene is survived by her sister, Marion (the late John) Hall of Quincy, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Willis, daughter, Nicole (Willis) Garcia, parents Robert and Marion (Brady) Gordon, siblings: Thomas Gordon, James Gordon, Junior Glenn, Obion Glenn, Paul Gordon, Bobby Gordon, Roberta Harwell, Billie Hooks, Mary Glenn and Dolores Davis.

Private Inurnment Service will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Calvary Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association and the American Kidney Fund.