John Daniel Willis

John Daniel Willis

1970-2021

John passed away peacefully on April 9th, 2021 in Nashville, TN surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by his father, Ted Willis; maternal grandparents, Peter and Mary Salvato; paternal grandparents, William and Beatrice (Mary) Willis; cousin, Rolanda Vitek, and his namesake and Uncle John Salvato. He is survived by his wife Heidi of 15 years; mother, Maryanne Salvato; brothers, Dennis and Shane (Sarah); sisters, Wanda and Breana; nieces: Marissa, Cheyenne, Aislinn, Isabel, Kaitlyn, Taylor Amber, Ashley (his God-Daughter), and Amelia; nephew, Cody; children: Leah (Michael), Megan, Morgan (Jonathan), Andrew, Morgan Ashley, Madisyn and Matthew; grandchildren: Brinley, Carolyn, Eddie, Grayson, Layla, and Evelynn; mother-in-law, Rachel Fenicle; father-in-law, Randy Johnson; brothers-in-law, Joshua, Adam, and Ted; sister-in-law, Nicole, and many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

John was an Army Veteran and was very proud for serving his country. John and Heidi met at work in April 2003. On Sweetest Day (October 18th, 2003) they had their 1st actual date and were married July 22nd, 2005. John and Heidi lived in Oakbrook Terrace, IL until 2015 when they moved to Arizona for 5 years. They had just moved to Murfreesboro, TN late December 2020 to be closer to family.

John was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He had many passions in life but Kenpo Karate was very close to his heart. He trained with Grand Master Tom Saviano for close to 20 years at the White Tiger Kenpo Karate school in Addison, IL where he met some of the most amazing people. Once a White Tiger always a White Tiger.

John is best known for having a huge heart and a great sense of humor. He never knew a stranger and wherever life took him he left behind a long trail of people that knew and loved him. John will be forever missed and held closely in the hearts of those that knew him.

Please visit John's tribute wall and leave a memory with the family.