ROLAND OLIVER WILLS, B.Sc., M.B.A.

In remembrance of Roland Oliver Wills, B.Sc., M.B.A.

Retired Educator and Community Activist

Roland Oliver Wills was born March 20, 1930, in Jos, Nigeria, West Africa to Dr. Samuel and Ruth Wills. His sister Violet was born in 1927. The family moved to British Guyana after Roland was born where he enjoyed an active childhood and teen years, studying, excelling in track and field, and spending time with lots of family, as the Wills family was a large one in Guyana.

Roland immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in his early 20s to study at Dalhousie University. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree, he moved to Montreal, Quebec where he began his career in the pharmaceutical industry. During this time, fate would have him reunite with Dorothy Green a student he met in Halifax, Nova Scotia who was studying at Mount Saint Vincent University. After courting for several months in Montreal, they married.

Following a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, Roland entered academia where he was highly regarded as both teacher and administrator. Early in his career he pursued and earned an M. B. A. from the University of Windsor. In June 1965, he began as a lecturer in the Department of Commerce and Administration of Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. Subsequently, he earned promotions to Associate Professor and Full Professor, after which he was appointed Associate Dean, Academic and Student Affairs, for the Molson School’s Faculty of Commerce and Administration. Roland also served as Deputy Speaker of the Concordia University Senate, the school’s senior academic body. Upon retirement, Roland was Professor Emeritus at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University.

Roland was admired by his peers and students. In a letter of appreciation for his service then-Dean Ross of Concordia’s faculty of Commerce and Administration’s Department of Decision Sciences described Roland’s impact on his students. “By reading Professor Wills’ story, checking the records, and talking to colleagues and students, the Committee came to the appreciation that over a period of time beginning in 1965 and extending to the early eighties, Roland Wills was ranked as one of the great teachers in the Faculty. Most importantly, he was considered then, and still is considered, one of the greatest motivators of students. They recognized his talents as a mentor and excellent communicator when they ‘anointed’ him ‘super-prof’…In 1989, the Commerce and Administration Student Association, presented him an Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Life and they recently dedicated the new undergraduate computer lab to him, naming it the R. O. Wills Computer Lab.”

Roland was passionate about giving to and supporting his community. He was involved in several Black community organizations. He received much recognition for his work and contributions. He received the Jackie Robinson Award from the Montreal Association of Black Business Persons and Professionals for his contribution to the field of business education. Also, he was recognized for his valuable contribution to Canadian Society by the Director General, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

One of Roland’s most cherished outlets for personal involvement was the Union United Methodist Church in Montreal. He chaired the church’s Official Board, and was a co-founder of its Men’s Fellowship Group, a ministry in which he remains active. Also, he was an honorary member of the church’s Trustees Committee. He was a very proud member of the church’s Men’s Gospel Choir where he sang with verve and gusto.

Roland is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Dorothy Wills of Montreal, Quebec, daughter Sandra Wills Hannon of Fort Washington, Maryland, son Leighton Wills of Burlington, Ontario, grandson Leighton, Jr., of Oakville, Ontario, granddaughters Madison Hannon, of Laurel, Maryland, De’Maris Brown, of Fort Washington, Maryland, and Alicia Douglas, of Leesburg, Virginia, great grandchildren, Eva Wills, of Burlington, Ontario, Zephan, Eli and Hannah Brown, all of Fort Washington, MD, son-in-law Kevin Hannon of Fort Washington, MD, and daughter-in-law, Anne Wills of Burlington, Ontario. Other survivors include Caroline Kelly, of Chateauguay, Quebec, Wilma Lashley of LaSalle, Quebec and a host of other beloved relatives and friends.

The visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 as of 12:00 PM at the Union United Methodist Church, 3007 Delisle St. in Montreal, followed by the Funeral service at 12:30 PM.
Thence burial at Le Repos St-François d'Assise Cemetery, 6893 Sherbrooke St East in Montreal.

Following the burial, the family invites you to celebrate his life at the reception hall at Magnus Poirier Funeral Complex, 6825 Sherbrooke East in Montreal, H1N 1C7, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m..