Willis bụ nwa mbụ n'ime ụmụ anọ nwere nwanne nwanyị aha ya bụ Florence na ụmụnne nwoke abụọ, Robert (nwụrụ anwụ) na David. Mgbe a tọhapụsịrị ya n'ọrụ agha na 1957, nna Willis kpọọrọ ezinụlọ ya laghachi Carneys Point Township, New Jersey. Willis kọwara onwe ya dị ka onye si na "ogologo ahịrị ndị na-acha anụnụ anụnụ". Nne ya na-arụ ọrụ na ụlọ akụ na nna ya bụ onye welder, onye na-arụ ọrụ na ụlọ ọrụ mmepụta ihe. Willis gara Penns Grove n'obodo ya, ebe ọ zutere onye stutter.
Mahadum Montclair State