Clodius Harris Willis, Jr. was born on August 4, 1937 in Schenectady, NY, and died on February 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 87 years of age. He was the youngest child to Clodius Sr. (Lignum, VA) and Katherine Vaughan Willis (Richmond, VA).
Clodius graduated from Princeton High School in 1955, where he was happy to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame at the age of 70 for his contributions to the state champion high school track team from 1952-1955. Hitchhiking himself to his interview at Amherst College, he enrolled and studied French language and excelled at varsity soccer, graduating in 1959. He went on to study linguistics and phonology at University of Rochester where he not only earned his doctorate, but also met the love of his life, Maxine Cooper Willis. They got married in the scenic mountains outside of Pittsburgh where she grew up, and they spent their honeymoon at Lake Willoughby, Vermont; a place that continues to be special for his whole family.
His education and academic prowess led him to several teaching positions including implementing French-immersion education in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and at the University of Richmond. He then changed career directions and became a skilled software engineer drawing on his linguistic understanding of language and syntax.
People are multifaceted and can show up differently as time, health, and other circumstances change. This was all true of Clodius. He once described himself as preferring to take pleasure in accomplishments over seeking fun. When faced with unrelenting health challenges he once shared that his motto was “Choose life and stand tall.” Although he was sparing in expression of his thoughts and feelings, he exhibited great depth to both when he allowed himself to express it to others. This depth showed up in a love of his family, including his sisters and their children. More so, it showed up in his actions and accomplishments, which he would proudly share with those he loved most. Such accomplishments included planning elaborate and special family vacations, building one-of-a-kind beautiful wooden objects for the home, playing classical guitar, learning to use a hand loom and weaving lovely useful textiles, and baking Parisian delicacies before they were available in the small town of Gettysburg, PA. In addition, he made time to explore and learn about what his children loved to do whether it was supporting playing soccer or learning to portage a canoe. He was very sharp and well read. With these skills combined he could be quite a wit, especially with the written word. He was one who believed in working towards peace in the world. May his spirit rest peacefully, bring peace to each of us, and contribute to peace in the world.
He is survived by his wife Maxine, sons Henry (Sukanya) and Sam (Jeremy), three grandchildren (Neelkumar, Anisha, and Dahlia), two of his sisters Lee and Sally, and many nieces and nephews. His family is thankful for the support provided by his caregivers and doctors.
A family service was held at Rodef Shalom in Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to Adams County Habitat for Humanity (habitatforhumanityadamscountypa.org), where he volunteered, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by John A Freyvogel Sons, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.
