J.W. Willis founded the
Willis Lumber Company in 1887. The very first sawmill was powered by steam. All the logs
and lumber were moved from one destination to another by the use of horses.
In 1908 the lumber company was struck by a major tragedy. The entire sawmill burned to the
ground. Shortly thereafter the sawmill was rebuilt and production was back to normal.
In 1909, Willard S. Willis, son of J.W. Willis took over the lumber company operation. By
this time electric motors were providing the power to the mill and trucks were replacing
the horses.
Then in the late 40's, the third generation son of Willard S. Willis, Harris D. Willis
assumed the lumber company and logging operations. Then in the early 60's Harris added dry
kiln operations to the business. With the timber base declining in the Fayette County,
Ohio area and a statewide demand for kiln dried furniture grade hardwoods, the operation
was gradually converted to a distribution yard for kiln dried hardwoods.
Harris, and wife Ruth, are currently managing the company. Their son Bruce, his wife Sue
and twenty additional full and part time employees assist them.