It was originally known by its native Chippewa name of Wejinigan-sibi, translated as Paint Creek, which the settlement was later known by its English settlers.

[3] The Willis post office remains in operation and utilizes the 48191 ZIP Code, which covers most of eastern Augusta Charter Township.

[8] The source of Paint Creek is an unnamed location within northeast Pittsfield Township just southeast of the city limits of Ann Arbor near the junction of U.S. Route 23 and Interstate 94 at 42°13′48″N 83°40′49″W / 42.23000°N 83.68028°W / 42.23000; -83.68028.

Paint Creek is a designated cold-water stream, as it also receives sources from groundwater and has a colder than average temperature.

[9] Paint Creek contains no dams along its route, and it is also fed by numerous irrigation canals and lesser streams, including the McCarthy Drain.

[12] The upper portion of Paint Creek is also threatened due to increasing development within Pittsfield Township and Ypsilanti.

Rarer fish observed included common carp, johnny darter, hornyhead chub, orangespotted sunfish, hybrid sunfish, grass pickerel, blackside darter, largemouth bass, tadpole madtom, common shiner, and striped shiner.

[9] Recent development is aiming to increase the creek's usage by providing more access to parks and trails along its route.

At one time, Paint Creek was the only designated trout stream in the region but has recently been listed as an impaired river by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.