Founded in 1870, Willis was named for P. J. and R. S. Willis, large land and timber owners who had formerly been merchants in the area. They gave the townsite on the Houston & Great Northern Railroad, and the rail line brought prosperity. In 1874, Willis and Montgomery vied for county seat, but both eventually lost to Conroe. Willis had a college, an opera house, and numerous stores, and by 1895 vast tobacco fields supported seven cigar factories. This industry faded when the tariff on Cuban tobacco was lifted. Present industries are timber and livestock.