He died, probably in what is now Atoka County, Oklahoma, as his unmarked grave is located there.

[3] Before the Civil War, Willis and his daughter, Aunt Minerva, were sent by their owner to work at the Spencer Academy where the superintendent, Reverend Alexander Reid, heard them singing.

He furnished them to the group, which performed them in the United States and Europe.

[4][5] Many are now famous, including "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Steal Away To Jesus".

It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.