Bio

Henry Willis was born in 1953 in Georgia. Little is known about his early life. He grew up in a region where crime rates were often impacted by socio-economic conditions. The environment he lived in may have affected his choices as he grew older.

Willis came from a place that faced many challenges. These challenges could influence youth in various ways. He faced difficulties growing up, like many others in his community.

As a young man, Willis became involved in crime. He ended up associating with others who were also engaged in illegal activities. This led him down a path that ultimately resulted in his arrest.

Henry Willis was tried and convicted. He faced serious consequences for his actions, which mirrored the complicated environment he had navigated since childhood. His life took a dramatic turn when he became linked to violent crime, leading to significant legal and personal repercussions.

Murder Story

On February 11, 1976, Henry Willis and two accomplices committed an armed robbery at a convenience store in Adel, Georgia. Shortly after, Ed Giddens, the Chief of Police of Ray City, received a police alert regarding the robbery and stopped the vehicle in which Willis and his accomplices were traveling. While trying to arrest them, Giddens was overpowered, disarmed, and abducted.

Willis and the others took Giddens to a nearby swamp area in Lanier County. During the abduction, Giddens attempted to flee. While he was running, he was shot by one of Willis's accomplices. Willis then personally waded into the water and shot Giddens multiple times in the head, believing that he was already dead.

Willis later testified at his trial, acknowledging his involvement in the robbery, the abduction of Giddens, and the shooting that followed. He claimed that he shot Giddens because he thought he was already dead at that point.

In 1989, Henry Willis was executed by electrocution in Georgia for the murder of Ed Giddens. He was convicted and sentenced to death, with several appeals filed unsuccessfully before his execution.