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Bob Willis with wife Lynn. Photo Submitted. -
Bob Willis and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III. Photo Submitted
Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez, recently presented sculptor Bob Willis with the Award of Merit on behalf of the Mississippi Historical Society. Barnes, who is vice president of the society, said Willis was not able to attend the society’s annual meeting in February, where the award was formally announced.
“Willis’ work as a sculptor is simply amazing, and his talent is extraordinary,” said Barnes. “We could have mailed the award to him, but we thought it best to make a personal presentation. I was honored to make the presentation at the Visit Natchez office.”
Awards of Merit are presented annually by the society to individuals or organizations for their outstanding archival, museum, or media interpretation work. Willis was recognized for the bust of Hiram Rhodes Revels that he sculpted for Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church in September 2023.
Brother Rogers, the society’s secretary-treasurer, said Willis’ bust of Revels “is significant not just in Mississippi history, but in American history.”
Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress. He also was an early pastor of Zion Chapel and the first president of what is today Alcorn State University.
Willis, who lives in Edmond, Okla., accepted the award with his wife, Lynn, by his side. He said he was “truly humbled” to receive it and that he was grateful to honor the legacy of Revels.