Min. Dale Edwards Executive Director, Call and Post
Contributing, Dr Denise McCray Scott. Brenda Hall
CLEVELAND, Ohio — History, honor, and heartfelt gratitude filled the room on January 28, 2026, as family, friends, colleagues, and admirers gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Attorney James R. Willis, a towering figure in Ohio’s legal history and a national authority on constitutional law.
The centennial celebration was held at the Louis Stokes Veterans Administration Medical Center in Cleveland, a fitting venue for a man whose life has been defined by service to both country and community. Attorney Willis is a World War II veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946 as one of the legendary Montford Point Marines, African American servicemen who broke racial barriers and paved the way for desegregation in the armed forces. Willis has often credited his military experience—and the discipline and resilience it instilled—with shaping his character and professional success.
Following his honorable discharge, Willis pursued higher education with distinction, graduating with honors from West Virginia State College in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He went on to earn his law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1952, embarking on a legal career that would span more than seven decades.
Practicing almost exclusively in criminal law, Attorney Willis became nationally recognized as an expert in constitutional law, arguing countless cases at the county, state, federal, and appellate levels, including before the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. His work helped shape criminal defense law in Ohio and contributed to landmark decisions and reforms across the nation.
Throughout his extraordinary career, Willis not only defended clients but advanced the principles of justice, civil rights, and equality under the law. He is widely respected for mentoring generations of young attorneys, many of whom credit him as a guiding force in their professional and ethical development.
The milestone event was coordinated by Dayjane Berry, a Nursing Assistant at the VA Medical Center on East Boulevard, along with members of Attorney Willis’ nursing care team. Berry said that after learning about Willis’ historic legacy, she felt compelled to ensure his 100th birthday did not pass without proper recognition. Her compassion and leadership transformed a moment into a meaningful tribute befitting a legal giant.
Among those in attendance were Attorney Willis’ daughter, United States Magistrate Federal Judge Jennifer Willis of New Jersey; Attorney Myron Watson; Nashonda Bonner Fareed; Robin Boyd of Essential Accounting; Retired Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold; Dr. Denise McCray Scott; Brenda J. Hall of Halls Consulting; along with numerous relatives, friends, and supporters.
As stories were shared and honors bestowed, the celebration stood as a living testimony to a life well lived—anchored in faith, fortified by service, and devoted to justice.
The Holy Scriptures declare:
“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” — Proverbs 16:31 (KJV)
At 100 years old, Attorney James R. Willis remains a crown of glory to Cleveland, to the legal profession, and to the nation. His legacy endures not only in courtrooms and case law, but in the lives he has touched, the doors he has opened, and the principles he has upheld for a century.
