Hilry L. Willis Jr, a native Houstonian was born August 19, 1951 to Hilry Sr and Victoria Willis. He grew up in the Kashmere Gardens area and was baptized in 1964 at Zion Hill Missionary Church under the leadership of Rev. C. L. Punch. Hilry primary education was at J. C. Sanderson Elementary (presently Felix Cook Elementary). Hilry attended Kashmere Junior & Senior High (Hirsch Rd) and graduated in 1969 as the first graduating class at the 6900 Wileyvale location. As a student-athlete in football Hilry played defensive-end for Coach Billie Matthews and track was a member of the mile relay under the tutorship of Thomas Hendricks. Hilry stated that a lot of who he is today was developed by these coaches and their staff Junius Simon, William McGowan, Kirby Jones and Major Abram. This staff taught life lessons about personal character and not quitting when times get hard.

After graduating high school Hilry enrolled at Texas Southern University part-time while maintain full employment at Houston Lighting and Power now (CenterPoint Energy). He enlisted into the United States Air Force and served for five years and received the rank of Staff Sargent in1976. He was able to return to CenterPoint Energy as an apprentice mechanic in the Fleet Department earning promotions to Journeyman, Head Journeyman onto Fleet Supervisor in 1984 being responsible for several fleet locations within the company. Through these entire job advancements Hilry continued his education at TSU majoring in General Business. After 40 years of faithful employment he retired from CenterPoint in 2017. Hilry spends his retirement enjoying restoring his 1971 Chevy P/U and updating his 2007 Corvette. He enters his cars in local car shows, high school parades and displays them at churches and restaurant events. Hilry has been a member of the National Afro-American Corvette Club for 15 years. His high school sweetheart Janella Barker Willis is also a 1969 Kashmere graduate they been married 49 years. They’re blessed with two daughters, Shantell and Bettina and one lovely grand-daughter Talia Doss.