Willis Edward "Eddie" Lewis, MD

Eddie Lewis, 66, of Wilson, husband, father, friend, golf and fishing enthusiast, Tarheel sports fanatic, and retired pathologist, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026. He laughed until his last hours.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 100 Green Street NE, Wilson North Carolina following the service the celebration will continue at Casita Brewing Company, 217 South Street, Wilson. 

Eddie found great joy in his family and friends. The closest he ever came to a brag were his times telling stories about his beloved sons, Reid and Kyle, and their extraordinary wives Beth and Hayden. Traveling, playing golf, fishing or simply enjoying music and laughter together at Nags Head Beach marked the apex of his contentment, a life well-lived.

Eddie was a quiet man, until he wasn’t. He loved to laugh, and his laugh was legendary, a full-body bellow that rang out above the chatter of a dinner party and could be heard by his beloved golf buddies on the course three holes away. He and his late brother, Dwight (with his own famous laugh) cackled away countless hours surf-fishing at the Outer Banks, a place they loved most.

He had a witty name for almost any object. Barbequed ribs he dubbed “pigsickles”. A rude person, he named “Poindexter”. A snake, he called a “shoulderless brother”. The rack where he placed lost socks waiting for their match to emerge from the dryer, he baptized “the singles bar”.

Eddie disdained what he deemed pretentious, like fancy titles, neckties, New Years resolutions and lists of accomplishments. Likewise with trendy foods such as arugula (the vile weed) and avocado toast, although he loved avocado and he loved toast. His life-long love affair with food included a well-grilled steak (he was a grill master), deviled eggs, collards, North Carolina BBQ, salty caramel ice cream, and his mother’s biscuits.

He took fashion cues from no one. He wore faded tee-shirts and shorts till they fell apart, or until the weather dropped well below freezing. He wore bright orange Chuck Taylors to Buccaneers football games, and Carolina blue Chucks to all UNC events.

In all things, Eddie was his own man, honorable, quietly generous and wickedly funny. He loved pathology, his chosen career, but much more he loved his family, his friends, and he loved God. His joy and laughter were his own brand of ministry and will be missed by all who knew him.

Eddie is survived by the love of his life and wife of forty-three years, Oona Payne Lewis; sons, Clayton Reid Lewis and wife Beth, and Kyle Edward Lewis and wife, Hayden, and numerous loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fank and Katie Lewis, and his brother, Dwight Lewis.

The family wishes to thank the loving and talented medical staff at the Duke Neuro-Intensive Care Unit, the Duke Emergency Department, the Duke Hospice team, Dr. Kim Johnson, Dr. Lara Wadi, Dr. Christine Barton of Wilson, and all others who offered us care, respect and dignity.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Duke-UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at https://dukeuncadrc.org/

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.