Wills, S. Angier
WILLS, S. Angier, M.D., F.A.C.S
Angier "Angy" Wills passed away at 95 on November 24, 2021. He was born on October 4, 1926, in Lakeland, Florida to the late Johnnie Lee Varn and Angier Clayborn Wills and spent his youth in Tampa, Florida. He graduated Hillsborough High School, where he was active in football, baseball, ROTC and student council. He later became the first alumnus to be inducted into the Hillsborough Hall of Fame. He entered Emory University in Atlanta, GA for one semester before enlisting in the Naval Air Corp, where he served as combat crewman from 1944-1946. He then returned to Emory University and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was accepted into Emory University School of Medicine and graduated in 1953 as a Doctor of Medicine. While at Emory he was active in Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was a member of the national medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed a 4-year general surgery residency at Emory and Grady Hospitals followed by a year of chief residency and surgical oncology training at the Emory Winship Clinic, where he completed a fellowship in neoplastic surgery. He joined the staff of Dekalb Medical Center in 1961 and practiced surgical oncology for the next 37 years until retiring at age 72. While at Dekalb Medical Center Angy held the following positions: Vice Chief of Staff (1982-1984), Chief of Staff (1984-1986), Vice Chief of Surgery (1965-1969, 1973-1977), Chief of Surgery (1977-1981), Chairman of the Cancer Committee (1964-1982), Chairman of the Tumor Board (1964-1982), Chief of the Department of Oncology (1976-1984), and president of the Medical Staff Association (1984-1994). From 1980 to 1985 he was a principal Investigator for Surgical Adjunct Breast Treatment, a research effort out of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He held courtesy staff positions in the departments of surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital, Northside Hospital, and Emory University Hospital, where he was an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Emory University School of Medicine. Professional memberships included Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, State Liaison Officer of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Cancer (1966-1992), Southeastern Surgical Conference, Southern Medical Association, and the Southern Association for Oncology, of which he was a founding member. Angy was active in the American Cancer Society where he served in many capacities. At the community level (DeKalb County) his positions included president (1966-1967) and Chairman of the Board (1976). At the state Cancer Society level, he was Chairman of Reach for Recovery, served on the state board of directors (1966-1980), was Chairman of the Professional Education Committee (1979, 1980) and Chairman of the Governor's Cancer Advisory for the State of Ga (1977-1985). Other positions within the state and local medical community included treasurer of the Georgia Cancer Management Network (1972-1977). He served as president of the Emory Medical Alumni Society from 1983-1985 and was president of the Atlanta Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Alumni (1976-1977). Angy was a founding member of SouthCare Medical Alliance and served as the Alliance's Chairman of the Board from 1986-1990. In 1998 he established a foundation through DeKalb Medical Center in his parents' names to fund Registered Nurse positions in Decatur City Schools.
Beyond these academic and professional accomplishments, Angy was active for many years in the Briarcliff Community Sports Organization where he coached baseball and football and held other leadership positions, including president of the organization from 1972-1973. He was a benefactor to the DeKalb YMCA, was active in Holy Trinity Parish (Decatur) and was the physician for Briarcliff High School baseball and football teams. He served in various capacities on his neighborhood HOA. He was always willing to lend his time.
On a personal level, Angy was a devoted husband and father. He shared his wisdom and sage advice quietly and had a lasting influence. He rarely missed his children's games, recitals, or other activities. He loved nature and being outdoors. He took his family on many backpacking ventures out west to beautiful areas such as the Wind River Range (WY). He adored and was immensely proud of his four grandchildren. He was a great coach, mentor, and teacher to many young athletes. Hobbies and interests included fine-tuning his impressive golf game at Cherokee Country Club, untiringly supporting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, gardening and growing a variety of vegetables, horticulture and beautifying his yard, listening to music (preferably Willie Nelson), reading voraciously, and riding and caring for his American Saddlebred horse, "Hap." He loved and respected his many animals. Angy was a true patriot. He was a great dancer, poker player, and joke teller.
Angy is survived by his loving and beloved wife of 39 years Dean (nee Smith), son Angier, daughter Rebecca (husband Larry), grandchildren Connor, Katherine, Samantha and Silas, sister Betty, and nephew Ron (wife Debbie). He was wise man, and a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor, and community member. He will be dearly missed, forever loved, always remembered by his grateful family.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 29th at 1:30 PM at Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur, GA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Histiocytosis Association: www.histio.org/donate.
