James "Buddy" Gordon Willis Jr.

James “Buddy” Gordon Willis Jr., 60, of Beaufort, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

A funeral service to honor Buddy’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 11th at Ann Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends the evening prior from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 10th at Munden Funeral Home. 

James, affectionately known as Buddy, was born on January 15, 1964, in Morehead City, NC, to the late James “Jimmy” and Libby Willis. Buddy grew up in Beaufort and at an early age, his love of the water led him to become a commercial fisherman, eventually serving as the First Mate on The Taylor’s Creek alongside his father. In 2006, Buddy transitioned to a new career path, in a sales position at Parker Honda. But it wasn’t any secret that Buddy loved the Salt Life and often reminisced about the glory days when he worked as a commercial fisherman.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his daughter, Elizabeth “Brooke” Fulp and fiancé Cameron Favreau of Havelock; son, James “Jamie” Gordon Willis III of Beaufort; half-brother, Vernon Weeks of Morehead City; niece and nephew, Mandy Osborne and Kerry Osborne of Morehead City; great niece and nephew, Skylar Osborne of Beaufort and Jax Osborne of Morehead City; grandchildren, Kelly Fulp, Chase Fulp, and Madi Favreau; beloved friend, Kelly Beveridge of Beaufort; and brother-in-law, Jason Hunt of Beaufort. 

In addition to his parents, Buddy was preceded in death by his sister, Diane Willis Hunt.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.