Bernard Willis Biography

State Representative Bernie Willis is serving his first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 74th House District encompassing portions of northern and western Clark County.

Representative Willis was a career military pilot earning the rank of colonel as a multi-tour commander who flew F-16s and unmanned MQ-1 Predator drones before becoming a federal law enforcement officer at the Springfield Air National Guard base.  Willis served in the acquisition enterprise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base prior to retiring from military service in 2023. 

Col. Willis is an adjunct professor in unmanned aviation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sinclair Community College. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, distinguished graduate of the MQ-1 Predator transition course, and was the top Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Security Forces Officer course where he received the 4-Star Air Education and Training Command commander's award for excellence.

Willis is active in the community as a Clark County Deputy Sheriff,  former board member of the Greater Springfield Partnership, and an Elder at Fellowship Christian Church.  Col. Willis also serves around the state as a board member of the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association, and as past-President and current board member of Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports in Columbus.  

Bernie and his wife Lynne have been married for more than 30 years.  They have three grown children: Shelby, who is an elementary music teacher, Jon, who is an U.S. Army first lieutenant Apache Helicopter pilot, and Noah, who is a Purdue University student in engineering.