Willis Edwin Darden, Jr.

Willis Edwin Darden Jr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and veteran, passed away at the age of 81 on January 2, 2026. He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and will forever cherish the life and light he brought into the world. A man of deep and abiding faith, Willis lived his life in service to God and His holy word. He was an active member of King of Glory Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he found a loving and supportive community united in their devotion to the Lord.
Willis was a proud Vietnam Veteran who served his country with honor and integrity from July 1963 to October 1977 serving two tours. He often shared stories of his service and was rarely seen without his Vietnam Veteran hat, a symbol of pride he held in serving his country and the values of commitment, strength, and duty that guided his life. Following his military service, he worked as an equipment operator at Dominion Surry Power Station and The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. He concluded his career at Newport News Waterworks after 25 years as an equipment operator specialist, where he retired. Within his work, he was known as a hardworking and dependable employee. His work ethic and loyalty were hallmarks of his character, and he approached his career with the same humility and dedication he showed in every part of his life. He had a gentle nature and a joyful spirit, always ready with a joke, a smile, or a laugh that could light up a room. He loved bears, nature, motorcycles, and cherished his family above all else. He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Edwin Darden Sr.; his mother, Mary Virginia Darden; and his brother, Clyde William Darden. He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Jean Darden; his children, Wayne Arthur Darden, Laura Elisa Darden, and Debbie Delia Larson; his grandchildren, Aaron Noel Darden, Grace Elaine Darden, Faith Eilean Darden, Jeffery D. Darden, Jimmy J. Bolash, Katelyn Marie Larson, Jessica Ashley Larson, and David Darden; and his siblings, Paul Quillin Darden and Gary Michael Darden. Please join his family for the viewing at Amory Funeral Home in Yorktown, VA, on January 15, 2026, from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. A service to celebrate Willis’s life will be held on January 17, 2026, at King of Glory Church in Williamsburg, VA, at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to the King of Glory Social Outreach Program, or by honoring his memory through acts of kindness, faith, and love.
Though he has gone home to be with the Lord, his spirit lives on through the laughter he shared, the faith he lived by, and the love he gave so freely.
“The Lord is my Sheperd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…” – Psalm 23