Willie Paul Tellis, Jr.

Willie Paul Tellis, Jr. (JunJun) was born to the late Willie Paul, Sr. and Helen Jeannette Tellis on December 11, 1956. He was a very comical and loving child, these characteristics continued until his departure. He began his education at Tivoli Elementary and graduated from Walton High. Willie offered his service to the Air Force National Guard. He became a certified electrician. At the age of 26, Willie met a beautiful young lady, Vynita Battle, he knew he wanted to marry. The two were married on May 29,1982 until death they did part. The Lord allowed them to be together longer than they were apart. His love for his children were clearly known by the way he spoke of them.  The pinnacle of Willie’s life on this earth came when he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior, to come dwell in him. Because of this inward renewal, his passion for people intensified. He and his family joined House of Praise COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Sammie Radford, Sr., where he became an ordained minister. His smile was very contagious! He never met a stranger, and he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with many family members, friends, and strangers.

He is preceded in death by his parents Willie Paul, Sr. and Helen J. Tellis; father and mother-in-law, Jimmy and Bessie Lee Battle; sister, Andrea T. Kelly; and his son, dearest to his heart and gathered together again, Jarren Tellis.

He is survived by his wife, Vynita Tellis; children, Xavier Tellis, Lazares Tellis, and Natalia Tellis; step-mom, Cassie; Aunt Juliaette Barge; siblings, Haywood Jerome Tellis (Ann), Nathaniel Goode, Beverly T. Smith (Bernard), Helen P. Tellis, Brenda Fegan, Kerri Fegan, Tracy R. Campbell, and Beasker H. Campbell (Vashonia); brother in law Al Battle; sister in laws Ronda B. Anderson (Benji), Wonda Braiden, and Rhonda Brown; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, July 31, 2020 in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Crestview Memorial, 492 East Pine Avenue, Crestview, Florida 32539 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Another time of visitation will be held Saturday, August 1, 2020 in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433, from 10 a.m. until noon.  Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. in the DeFuniak Springs chapel with limited seating due to COVID-19.  Committal services will follow at Magnolia Cemetery.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home and Crematory.