Rev. Dr. Willis Irvin Dowling, 61, passed away September 15, 2018.  He was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil the son of the late Rev. Wilson Thompson Dowling and Helen Stuart Irvin Dowling.  Willis was serving as a Christian school teacher at Oaktree Academy.  He had formerly served as pastor of Cypress Chapel Christian Church, South Norfolk Christian Church, and Chesapeake Bible Fellowship and currently attended Atlantic Shores Baptist Church.  He had served as an adjunct professor at Regent University and served with Pastor in Residence Ministries.  He was also a member of Cypress Ruritan Club.

Willis is survived by his wife of 37 years, Heather Crofts Dowling; son, Benjamin Willis Dowling and wife, Marcie; daughters, Bethany Dowling Geffken and husband, Dan, and Anna Grace Dowling; grandchildren, Grace, Josiah, and Noelle; sister, Helen Stuart Dowling; brothers, Wilson T. Dowling, Jr. and Rev. Benjamin Wyman Dowling, III and wife, Ethel; father-in-law, A.P. "Guz" Crofts; and five nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Cypress Chapel Christian Church with Revs. Alan Cruz, Jim Arcieri, Darryl Palmer, and Benjamin Dowling, III officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Friends may join the family for a time of visitation Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to a Christian organization of your choice.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.