James A. Willett

Jim Willett passed away at home on November 29 at the age of 93. A prominent Sacramento attorney, community leader, and Cal Aggie lover, Jim leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Genia, along with many family members and friends who loved him.

Jim was born and raised in Sacramento, graduating from Sacramento High School in 1950 and the University of California, Berkeley in 1955. He was stationed at Fort Irwin from 1955 to 1957, where he attained the rank of First Lieutenant. He and Genia were married in 1956. Following his service in the Army, Jim entered law school at Berkeley shortly after the birth of his first daughter, Kim. He graduated in June 1960, and two days after taking the bar exam, his second daughter, Cindy, was born.

The family moved to Davis in 1960, where Jim lived for the rest of his life. After working for the California Office of Legislative Counsel, he joined the Sacramento law firm of Downey Brand Seymour & Rohwer in 1961. He was named a partner in 1968 and fully retired in 2019 at the age of 87, becoming the longest-serving attorney in the firm’s history.

As a specialist in probate and estate planning, Jim taught courses in estate planning for continuing legal education and was active in a number of professional organizations. Among his leadership roles, he served as president of the Sacramento Estate Planning Council; chair of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of the State Bar; and chair of the State Bar’s Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Advisory Commission.

Throughout his life, Jim worked for the benefit of his community. During the 1970s, he served for eight years on the Davis Planning Commission, including as chair, where he contributed a thoughtful conservative perspective and was instrumental in developing the city’s first sign ordinance. In the 1980s, he served on the board of directors of KVIE, Channel 6, becoming chair from 1986 to 1987. He chaired Sutter Davis Hospital from 1984 to 1985 and the UC Davis Foundation from 1992 to 1994. In the early 2000s, when University Covenant Church had outgrown its facility, Jim stepped up to lead the successful fundraising campaign to build a new church.

Although he was not an alumnus of UC Davis, Jim was a passionate sports fan of the Cal Aggies, where Genia’s father, Woody Wilson, had been a legendary head coach. From the mid-1970s to 1992, Jim was the chair or president of two committees in support of UC Davis football and athletics in general. Even in his final years, he rarely missed a home football game or a men’s or women’s basketball game. In October, at UC Davis Football’s Big Sky opener, Jim and Genia were recognized as Champion Aggies Club Donors. And on November 22, one week before his death, Jim enjoyed a fitting final outing—flanked by his two sons-in-law, he watched the Aggies defeat Sacramento State in the Causeway Classic.

Among his many interests, Jim and Genia enjoyed international travel, with a highlight being a three-month sabbatical in England and Scotland. They spent years collecting antique banks and were part of a close-knit community of fellow collectors. Jim served on the board of the Still Bank Collectors Club of America from 2014 to 2017. He loved playing card games and was the only original member of a men’s poker group that began in January 1963 and continues today. Jim took pride in being the oldest member of the Rotary Club of Davis, and for the last two years of his life, he volunteered at the Davis Public Library. Outside his College Park home, Jim tended to scores of roses, among the most beautiful in Davis.

Known for his humor, intelligence, and good nature, Jim will be missed by many whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife Genia; daughters Kim (Tom) and Cindy (Dave); grandchildren Sarah (Dave), Mike (Carolyn), Tyler, and Susannah; great-grandchildren Cooper, Mollie, Quinn, Easton, Luke, Rowan, and Cole; brother Paul; brother-in-law Jim; sister-in-law Marilyn; and six nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Robert; a niece and a nephew; and his parents, Vernon and Esther Willett.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to UC Davis Athletics (individual sports teams—football, men’s and women’s basketball, and track); Yolo Cares (hospice); University Covenant Church; or the charity of one’s choice.

A memorial service is scheduled for January 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at University Covenant Church, 315 Mace Blvd., Davis, with a reception to follow.