dʒˈɑːn wˈɪlɪs wʌz lˈɑːntʃt baɪ ðə nˈuː jˈɔːɹk ʃˈɪpbɪldɪŋ kˈʌmpəni ʌv kˈæmdən, nˈuː dʒˈɜːsi ˌɔn fˈoːɹ fˈɛbɹuːˌɛɹi nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti sˈɪks, ænd wʌz spˈɑːnsɚd baɪ mˈɪsɪz. wˈɪnfɹi ˈɛm. dˈuːk, wˈɪdoʊ ʌv dʒˈɑːn wˈɪlɪs.
John Willis was launched by the New York Shipbuilding Company of Camden, New Jersey on 4 February 1956, and was sponsored by Mrs. Winfrey M. Duke, widow of John Willis.