Timothy Lee Willis, a longtime journalist and a former copy editor at the Daily Post, has died at his home in Marysville, Calif. He was 62.
As a copy editor, he improved stories and wrote headlines on tight deadlines. At the Post, his colleagues remember him for his wit and good nature.
Willis, who died May 28, was with the Daily Post from 2009 to 2018, and previously worked at the Palo Alto Daily News.
At the time of his death, he was a copy editor at MediaNews Group’s NorCal Design Center, which edits and designs 12 papers from Monterey to Chico.
“He was a good word guy. He had a good sense of humor,” said Mike Wolcott, editor of the Chico Enterprise-Record, who worked with Willis. “You could have taken Tim and put him in any newsroom and would be a good fit.”
Willis worked as both a reporter and later an editor.
However, colleagues recall that Willis was most proud of being a father to his son, Tyler. Willis enjoyed museums, reading and following politics. He grew up in the Bay Area and the Central Valley. He especially liked traveling to San Francisco where he could be found visiting museums and bookstores.
Friends will get together to remember Willis at 2 p.m. on Sunday (June 8) at the Bar Bocce, 1250 Bridgeway, in Sausalito.
Tim will be sorely missed for his kindness and sense of humor. It was an honor and a pleasure to have known him, and worked with him. Absolutely one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. I think about him every time I cross “Middlefinger” Road.
Tim was my editor for almost 3 years at The Post. He was so good at his job. He was always someone I could go to with questions or for a second opinion, and he peppered his answers with sharp intelligence, wit, and humor (which was so important for getting through stressful days and tight deadlines). I’ll remember his laugh, his thoughtfulness, and his sensitivity. Thank you, Tim, I’ll never forget you.
Tim worked for me twice, once when the paper was the Palo Alto Daily News and again at the Palo Alto Daily Post. The news of Tim’s death was heartbreaking. Tim was a solid journalist and a good man. As a copy editor, he was the backbone of the paper but yet an unsung hero. The reporters, photographers and columnists get all of the attention at a newspaper, but the paper would never come out without good copy editors. You could always depend on Tim. He had a wry sense of humor and a good memory for history. With headlines, he was an artist who could describe the story in just a few words. In life, his passion was his son, Tyler. He spent weekends with him and was always proud to speak of him. Tim left a good legacy for Tyler. Tim, you passed too early. RIP.