Born in Oklahoma and raised in Boston, Fritz Willis studied art at Noble and Greenough Preparatory School and later attended Vesper-George Art Academy. Willis handled ad work for Pepsi, Quality Papers, Max Factor, Purex, Sunkist, Crown Zellerbach, SpringMaid Sheets and others. He also did story work for Esquire, Saturday Evening Post, Redbook, Collier's, and covers for Ice Follies programs from 1952-1969. His 15-year stint of Artists's Sketchbook and other calendars for Brown & Bigelow made him one of the last pin-up greats.