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Former Southwest Workforce Development Vice President James Willis dies at 80

By Marketing and Communications Staff

Former Southwest Vice President of Workforce Development James Floyd Willis
Former Southwest Vice President of Workforce
Development James Floyd Willis

Former Southwest Tennessee Community College Vice President of Workforce Development, Dr. James “Jim” Floyd Willis, 80, died on July 6, 2022.

Willis’ illustrious career in education began in November 1993 when State Technical Institute at Memphis Director of Student Placement Bill Cavanaugh recruited Willis to be his assistant. 

Cavanaugh and Willis created workforce development trainings that would service the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee providing students access and resources to earn trades and degrees at two or four-year institutions.

After serving under the wing of Cavanaugh for several years, Willis was promoted to director of business, industry and government at State Tech. 

“I’m going to miss my good friend and colleague, Jim,” Cavanaugh said. “We served the Memphis community and surrounding states together for many years. Helping students reach their potential in their careers is the reason we went into the education profession.”

Willis also was an integral part of the Shelby State Community College and State Tech merger which birthed Southwest Tennessee Community College in 2000. Former Southwest President, Dr. Nathan L. Essex, remembers when Willis moved his Macon Cove Campus office to the Union Avenue Campus in a physical show of support to solidify the union between the two schools. Essex said this example of selflessness defined Willis as the passionate and caring person everyone loved. 

“Jim was very instrumental in the merger of Southwest. He was a great influence and all about the community,” Essex said. “He was vivacious and loving, and I had great admiration for Jim. He will truly be missed.”

Willis passionately served the college under Essex until he retired in June 2007.