He attended East Tennessee State University where he was member of the golf team, a first-team All-American his senior year.

Willis began his career in professional golf playing on the Hooters Tour and in selected international events.

Willis made his debut on the PGA Tour at the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open in 2001, and became the fourth Tour player to win in his first start as a member joining Marty Fleckman (1967), Ben Crenshaw (1973) and Robert Gamez (1990).

He came close to winning again on the Nationwide Tour in 2007, when he and Justin Bolli finished tied for second, a single stroke behind Jay Williamson in the Fort Smith Classic.

[1] Willis won again in 2009 on the Nationwide Tour at the WNB Golf Classic by one stroke over Chad Collins.