In Memory of James Willis 1934- 2019

In Honor of a Warm Friend, Mentor and Cornerstone of the Art Business

Jim & Lin Willis Bruneaf Tribal Art Fair, Brussels Belgium 2010

Jim & Lin Willis San Francisco Tribal Art Show, 2009

Jim Willis with Jacques Germain at his Paris Parcours Gallery 2008

Jim & Lin Willis with Joshua Dimondstein at his Paris Parcours Gallery 2018

Jim & Lin Willis San Francisco Tribal Art Show 2008

Jim & Lin Willis San Francisco Tribal Art Show 2010

Jim Willis in his Booth at the SF Tribal San Francisco Presidio 2008

​Jim Willis in his Booth at the SF Tribal San Francisco Presidio 2008

Jim & Lin Willis with friends at SF Tribal San Francisco Presidio Show 2008 (Left to right: Cathy Cootner, Andres Moraga, Thomas Murray,  Joe Loux)

Jim & Lin Willis and Michael Auliso in their San Francisco Home After Finishing an Interview 2006

Lin Willis:
​Dearest Friends, I want to thank you very much for reaching out to me with your kind words, condolences and memories of Jim. I am deeply touched. For friends learning this sad news now, we shall all hold special memories.
   I can only add that I am incredibly fortunate to have Jim in my life. He was unique, a bon vivant full of life, curiosity, and engaging the world. We had deepest love for each other. We enjoyed being together 24/7, working as partners, traveling, he taught me so much, including the realm of tribal art. He loved to visit every museum, and we’d seek new, far away destinations every year to explore.
  Jim declared in reflection he had lived a fabulous, enriched, full life with no regrets. He went to work with daily anticipation and excitement, and said not many people could feel that way about a job. He relished all travel, cultures, and art.
    Born in Los Angeles, he studied International Relations at Pomona. Jim had interesting, diverse occupations before his gallery opened in 1972. After college, traveling Europe selling Encyclopedia sets to American military; in Rome with his young family living among famous expat writers and artists; arriving in San Francisco with little funds and driving Yellow Cab; as a ceramicist in a studio next to Peter Voulkos; a bookbinder working on Howl, by Allen Ginsberg for Arion Press;  school teacher, and leading collector art tours to Africa in late seventies; were a few of his careers. He read avidly, being well versed on all subjects. He dealt in contemporary and tribal art and then focused exclusively on tribal. He kept his first African piece bought in 1954. He had the first tribal gallery worldwide to hold thematic exhibitions. We exhibited in art fairs, and he appraised many fine collections. Jim was proud to serve on the Cultural Property Advisory Committee for the White House for 15 years, among other accomplishments.
    We were together over twenty-eight years, and I’d tease I was only his 4th wife. He loved his daughter, three sons, and granddaughter. He had a fascinating family history in depth on both sides. He was a fantastic raconteur of tales and had reflections on all subjects. Jim was a true Renaissance man. He was approachable, and would hit it off with any stranger and they would part having enjoyed their encounter.
       In 1981, he was the first survivor of a deadly spinal tumor and rare lymphoma, yet purchased his home despite that crisis. During health challenges, we grew even closer with love for each other. He was a survivor when given four months with metastasized kidney cancer. He rejoiced in the De Young Museum Celebration of His Life, which three dear friends gave for him. Jim felt it was his memorial and how fortunate for him to be present. He lived and traveled 2-1/2 years more.  
        We had bookings for Paris. We were always full of love and optimism in face of challenges. One can only celebrate a life well lived and follow Jim’s example.
    I thank all of you with much Love from Jim and me, Lin 
  James W. Willis      27 September 1934 – 2 September 2019
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