Paul Wills

Obituary of Paul Clinton Wills

Paul Wills died peacefully at The Lombardo Home in Bradenton, Florida, on February 2, 2023, with family by his side. At 99 years of age, Paul’s long life was filled with family, friends, interests and innumerable accomplishments, both personal and professional.

Born to Ernest and May Wills and raised in rural Hartford, Alabama, Paul was one of nine children. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Paul graduated from the University of Alabama and went to work in Montgomery, Alabama, for the United Press as a newspaperman. While in Montgomery, he met and married Martha Garrett, who passed away in 2008 after 55 years of marriage. They moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 1957, and spent most of their lives there.

Paul was an accomplished newsman, working for the Associated Press and serving as Editorial Assistant and City Editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. His hobbies included classical guitar, gardening, birdwatching, fishing and “going rambling” in the North Florida woods. One of his proudest accomplishments was organizing several “plant digs” in Tallahassee, inviting local residents to help preserve native plants from the I-10 construction.

Paul is survived by his son, Clint Wills, and daughter, Susan Wilcox (David), his grandchildren, Ian Wills (Amelia), Ripley Taylor, and Andrew Wilcox. He is also survived by a sister, Ernestine Pridgen, and a brother, Joe Fred Wills.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to:

Manatee County Audubon Society:

P.O. Box 445, Bradenton, Florida 34206

https://www.manateeaudubon.org/

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