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  Dave M. Willis
Dave M. Willis was born in Jacksonville, Fla., February 21,1924 to Paul and Helen Case Willis. In Rye his family lived at 8 Newberry Place. David was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1942. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He started' College at William and Mary, Continuing his education and Naval training during war time at the University of Richmond, the University of Colorado, then graduating from the University of Iowa with highest distinction, having had the highest grade-point average in the university's history to that date.
 Dave was humble about his accomplishments, but proud of his Naval service, his 37-year career with Deere and Company, last serving as director of corporate planning services, and last but not least, the woman he deeply loved for over 60 years, Betsey.
 Dave Willis, of Brevard, N.C., husband of Betsey Willis, died April 6, 2009, days after his children had gathered. The Willis family lived in Mo- i line ior w years. I ; During his last year's battle with cancer, Dave and Betsey received an outpouring of love and support. Despite the illness, Dave's last days were punctuated with humor and tears, and a character-like (beating of the heart, similar to the persistent way he delivered , a forehand.
A memorial service was I held at St. Philip's Episcopal I Church in Brevard where family and friends shared memories, and began to heal, as Dave had requested in his file folder "When I Die." Dave's legacy is his love of family including his many dogs, his devotion to a strong work ethic, his love of reading, history, travel and knowledge in general, to say nothing of a good argument. He delivered an argument like he delivered a forehand. Dave's wry sense of humor entertained and confounded his family and many treasured friends old and new.
He loved his four children and their spouses, as well as six grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Jake; Sue and Bob Hove, Raleigh N.C, parents of Kate, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Scott and his wife, Tracy, Salt Lake City, Utah; Mike and Joanne Willis, Waterloo, Iowa, parents of David, Moline, and Marcia and fiancé Tony Erickson, Milwaukee, Wis.; Chris and Heather Willis; Atlanta, Ga., parents of Andrew and Betsey; and Andrew, who died In 1980.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73372411/obituary-...
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