Willis Samuel Getty was born in 1866 in Central Lake Township, Antrim County, Michigan as the son of James, Jr. and Elizabeth (Willis) Getty.

He married Violet May who was born in 1873 in Clearwater Township in Antrim County. They had one daughter, Edith.

Willis died March 17, 1940, age 73, and is buried on his father's lot in Kalkaska.