[2] During the Rogue River War in Southern Oregon he served as a private in the mounted volunteers from March to June 1857.

[5] Also while still a student Oregon Governor A. C. Gibbs appointed Willis as the state librarian, beginning service on July 5, 1864.

[2][3] That same month Willis was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Salem in partnership with Richard Williams.

[9] In business he was involved in a variety of ventures as a board member including the banking,[10] telephone,[3] and the mining industries.

[11] Willis was a major shareholder of the Hot Lake Sanatorium Company in Eastern Oregon along with future governor Walter M.