Willis Jefferson (Jay) Mullis, age 74, passed away with family by his side on September 3, 2017, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 24, 1941 to the late Willis Anderson Mullis and Aliene Howell Mullis in Dodge County, Georgia. Jay started a career in the grocery business in Savannah with Colonial Foods. He later moved his family to Statesboro in 1969. His career spanned over 50 years in various grocery chains including Big Star, Piggly Wiggly and Food Lion. He spent the last six years of his career with BI-LO. He was dearly loved by his customers, as he was never too busy to chat with them or help them find an item. Jay’s greatest joys were his family, fishing and working in his yard. He loved animals and almost always had a dog by his side. Surviving are his wife of 53 years; his two sons; his nine grandchildren; his five great grandchildren; a sister; three brothers; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 16, 2017, from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Kennedy Funeral Home in Metter, Georgia. A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to The Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County, P.O. Box 581, Statesboro, Georgia 30459 or STARS of GA Rescue, 1100 Bowen Rushing Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.