“Well done good and faithful servant.” David Alan Wills, 64, entered into eternity on March 4, 2017 after a sudden illness. Dave was born January 25, 1954 in Beckley, WV to Cecil and Elaine Wills. Dave grew up in Grandview , WV where it truly took a village to raise a child. He loved telling stories about his experiences in the one room school and his escapades with the neighborhood kids and out at Grandview State Park. He graduated from Shady Spring High School in 1970, Concord College in 1975 and received his Master’s in Leadership and Administration from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in 1988. He began his teaching career at Shady Spring Junior High where he taught Geography and coached wrestling. He finished his 40-year career at Shady Spring High School where he taught Speech, Social Studies, was the Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and coached Cross Country. He loved Shady High and attended almost every game, meet, and event to support the students he loved. He had a special heart for the struggling students in his Alternative School classes and even after he retired, he went back to be a Graduation Coach to encourage students to finish strong. Dave was a Christ follower and loved Jesus with all his heart. He was member of Grandview Christian Church where he was an elder, Sunday School teacher and the unofficial greeter of every one who came. His commitment to and deep love of missions took him on several mission trips to Haiti where he worked with His Seed Sowers, Haiti Christian Evangelism and KORE. He recently spent a month in Ronceverte, Rupert, Rainellle and Richwood doing flood cleanup and rebuilding. He was also a supporter of and worker for Brain’s Safehouse. He would do anything he could to help anyone who needed it and his last words before he went into surgery were, “I want to see all of you in heaven.’ Dave deeply loved his family and leaves his wife of 39 years Melinda Wills, his sons, of whom he was so proud, Zach, 28 and Cody 23, both of Beckley. He also leaves brother Steve and wife Teresa, brother Mark and his wife Debbie, Uncles Jack, Fuzz and Earl Dean, and Aunts Mary and Polly. He was Uncle Dave to Amy and son Jacob, Caleb and Hillary, Kacie and Matt and sons Trenton and Parker, Chris and Nicolle and children Isaiah, Emily, Anna and Chloe, Tara and Bub and daughters Riley and Kiley and scores of other children who liked to pay tag and play on his iPad. Dave also leaves hundreds of friends he hunted, fished and ran races with, did missions with, and taught and worked with. Dave was loved by so many and had such a profound impact on countless lives. He wanted the best for everyone and for him the best was to love Jesus. If Dave Wills impacted your life, pay it forward. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 7 from 4:00 pm to 7:30pm at the Shady Spring High School library. A memorial service will follow at 7:30. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Grandview Christian Church, 185 Tablerock Road, Beaver WV 25813 or Brain’s Safehouse, 368 Dearing Drive, Mt. Hope, WV 25880.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18