Funeral Information
Location:
Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ
Date: 04-10-2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Time: 11:00 AM
Visitation Information
Location:
Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ 1201 S pope Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62703
Date: 04-10-2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Time: 10:00 AM
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Obituary
WILLIS HUBERT LOGAN, JR., began his journey of life on November 23, 1943, in Springfield, Illinois, born under the union of Willis Hubert Logan, Sr., and Thelma Gertrude Smith. He peacefully departed this life on March 21, 2026. He was a loving husband, a dedicated father, grandfather, uncle, and cousin and loyal friend to many.
Willis graduated from Feitshans High School in 1961, where he excelled as a track star and participated in numerous clubs and activities. He attended Western University and would later graduate with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Sangamon State University. In 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He traveled with the Army to Oakland, California, for a short time while he waited to be sent overseas. During this time, he was heavily influenced by the issues faced by many people in the black community regarding housing, police brutality and job opportunities. Feeling inspired, he began to attend meetings where activists were focused on improving these conditions for everyone. He vowed that if he was fortunate enough to be able to get back home that he would get involved and “do something” in his hometown of Springfield to improve the lives of other people. After a short stint in Oakland, he was stationed in Korea for about 13 months.
In 1967, Willis was discharged from the army and married his long-time sweetheart, Joyce A. Day. Later this same year, he and a few friends started The Spirit of Black Springfield, a monthly newspaper that covered issues pertaining to Springfield’s black community. In 1970, Willis was hired as administrative assistant to Director of Minority Business Enterprise, where he assisted minorities in the development of business plans
and strategies toward becoming entrepreneurs. In 1972, he was appointed executive director with the Commission of Human Relations, where he administered the fair housing program for the city, counseled landlords and renters on fair housing issues and assisted minorities in obtaining employment with the city. In 1979, he worked as executive director for the Department of Community Development, where he administered the Urban Renewal Program for the city which included new construction, emergency housing repair, maintenance, and rehab programs.
In 1990, he went on to work as the special assistant for the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, where he managed housing programs for the city. In 1997, he was appointed executive director for the Springfield Housing Authority, where he administered all housing programs for families and senior citizens as well as commercial and residential developmental projects. In 2003, he consulted as acting director for several housing authorities including Havana, Quincy, and Chicago. He would retire in the mid-2000s only to be called back to community work one more time. In 2011, he worked as executive assistant to Mayor Mike Houston before retiring for the second and final time in 2015.
Throughout his life, Willis was also involved in numerous clubs, service organizations, public service activities and held various volunteer positions and memberships. Some of these included editor of Spirit of Black Springfield (1969), Human Relations Commission Board of Directors, Chairman Special Commission on Planning Board (1975), vice chair of Railroad Relocation Authority Steering Committee (1977), vice chair of Springfield Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission (1977), president of Springfield East Association 1980, co-host on Rap a Round on Channel 20 (1984), vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (1987), President Frontiers (1989), trustee and treasurer of Springfield Park Board, president of National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; and a host of other lifelong memberships and organizations.
Willis always loved spending time with family but especially loved family holiday gatherings. He was a member of Union Baptist Church for most of his life and would later join Brown Street COGIC where he was a Deacan, Sunday School Teacher and choir member. In his spare time, he loved spending time with friends, reading, writing, watching sports, playing golf, playing cards, and shooting pool.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Hubert Logan, Sr., and Thelma Gertrude Smith, and his beloved sister, Cheryl Logan Hines. Willis’s legacy, life story and memory will live on through his beloved wife of 58 years, Joyce A. Logan; children, Gennea, Andre (Charlene) and Kendra; brothers, Archer W. Logan (LeeAnn), Bishop E. James Logan (Deborah), Johnny Stokes (May), and Robert Stokes; sister, Esther Logan-Stemmons; grandchildren, Ciarra, Kameron, Sariyah, Andre Jr., and Lauren; great-grandson, Kamdyn; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and loving friends.
Willis graduated from Feitshans High School in 1961, where he excelled as a track star and participated in numerous clubs and activities. He attended Western University and would later graduate with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Sangamon State University. In 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He traveled with the Army to Oakland, California, for a short time while he waited to be sent overseas. During this time, he was heavily influenced by the issues faced by many people in the black community regarding housing, police brutality and job opportunities. Feeling inspired, he began to attend meetings where activists were focused on improving these conditions for everyone. He vowed that if he was fortunate enough to be able to get back home that he would get involved and “do something” in his hometown of Springfield to improve the lives of other people. After a short stint in Oakland, he was stationed in Korea for about 13 months.
In 1967, Willis was discharged from the army and married his long-time sweetheart, Joyce A. Day. Later this same year, he and a few friends started The Spirit of Black Springfield, a monthly newspaper that covered issues pertaining to Springfield’s black community. In 1970, Willis was hired as administrative assistant to Director of Minority Business Enterprise, where he assisted minorities in the development of business plans
and strategies toward becoming entrepreneurs. In 1972, he was appointed executive director with the Commission of Human Relations, where he administered the fair housing program for the city, counseled landlords and renters on fair housing issues and assisted minorities in obtaining employment with the city. In 1979, he worked as executive director for the Department of Community Development, where he administered the Urban Renewal Program for the city which included new construction, emergency housing repair, maintenance, and rehab programs.
In 1990, he went on to work as the special assistant for the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, where he managed housing programs for the city. In 1997, he was appointed executive director for the Springfield Housing Authority, where he administered all housing programs for families and senior citizens as well as commercial and residential developmental projects. In 2003, he consulted as acting director for several housing authorities including Havana, Quincy, and Chicago. He would retire in the mid-2000s only to be called back to community work one more time. In 2011, he worked as executive assistant to Mayor Mike Houston before retiring for the second and final time in 2015.
Throughout his life, Willis was also involved in numerous clubs, service organizations, public service activities and held various volunteer positions and memberships. Some of these included editor of Spirit of Black Springfield (1969), Human Relations Commission Board of Directors, Chairman Special Commission on Planning Board (1975), vice chair of Railroad Relocation Authority Steering Committee (1977), vice chair of Springfield Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission (1977), president of Springfield East Association 1980, co-host on Rap a Round on Channel 20 (1984), vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (1987), President Frontiers (1989), trustee and treasurer of Springfield Park Board, president of National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; and a host of other lifelong memberships and organizations.
Willis always loved spending time with family but especially loved family holiday gatherings. He was a member of Union Baptist Church for most of his life and would later join Brown Street COGIC where he was a Deacan, Sunday School Teacher and choir member. In his spare time, he loved spending time with friends, reading, writing, watching sports, playing golf, playing cards, and shooting pool.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Hubert Logan, Sr., and Thelma Gertrude Smith, and his beloved sister, Cheryl Logan Hines. Willis’s legacy, life story and memory will live on through his beloved wife of 58 years, Joyce A. Logan; children, Gennea, Andre (Charlene) and Kendra; brothers, Archer W. Logan (LeeAnn), Bishop E. James Logan (Deborah), Johnny Stokes (May), and Robert Stokes; sister, Esther Logan-Stemmons; grandchildren, Ciarra, Kameron, Sariyah, Andre Jr., and Lauren; great-grandson, Kamdyn; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and loving friends.