Willis began his professional career on the Hooters Tour and in selected international events. He then moved on to the BUY.COM Tour (the precursor of the Nationwide Tour) before winning in his debut event on the PGA Tour, the 2001 Touchstone Energy Tucson Open.
In recent years, Willis has split his playing time between the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour, claiming Nationwide Tour victories in 2005 and 2009.
Willis lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has not played a full PGA Tour season since 2012.