Brandon Dean Willis

Brandon Dean Willis, 39, formerly of Bettie, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Born on March 19, 1986, in Morehead City, North Carolina, Brandon graduated from East Carteret High School. From an early age he showed a natural curiosity about how things worked and a quiet determination to figure them out on his own. That same curiosity stayed with him throughout his life. To family and friends, he was the person who could fix just about anything he put his hands on. He especially enjoyed working on his cars, approaching each project with patience and skill until everything ran smoothly again.

Brandon and his father shared many happy hours tinkering with radio-controlled cars and planes, a hobby that held deep meaning for him. To his mother he remained “Punkadoodle,” a nickname given with love that spoke of the special bond they shared. He also took simple pleasure in life’s comforts, particularly a good meal, and he never turned down anything that involved chocolate.

Brandon is survived by his wife, Brittany Willis, and her daughter Aubrey Struck of Bettie, North Carolina; his parents, Laurie Willis Jr. and Cathy Willis of Bettie; his paternal grandmother, Gloria Lamb Willis of Bettie; his maternal grandfather, Dr. Michael Blevins of Bettie; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Carolyn Blevins, and his paternal grandfather, Laurie Willis Sr.