David Alan Willis

David Alan Willis of Knoxville, TN died Wednesday, November 6. He was 78. He adored his daughter Jennifer and her family, who cared for him in his illness. He doted on his four grandchildren, attending their events and buying them pizzas, ice cream and other healthy foods. They called him “Pop”. A sensitive, compassionate man – this third of seven kids cared deeply for his siblings and close friends and offered a listening ear to anyone in need. As a childhood builder of erector sets, it came of no surprise to his family when Dave decided to become a mechanical and civil engineer. Strong in body as well as mind, he also played high school football and served as a combat helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. As a man of faith, he served many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Pellissippi and West Hill Wards. One of his favorite callings was working in the Church’s Storehouse and delivering supplies for people in need. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Copeland, son-in-law Pierce Copeland, stepson Jason Rupp and his wife and daughter; granddaughters Eleanor Grace Copeland, grandsons Draven Reece Copeland, David Brody Copeland, and Raymond Pierce Copeland, Jr; sister Carol Kerr of Knoxville; brothers Gary Willis of Dillard, GA, Dee Willis of Cleveland, OH and Ken Willis of Avondale Estates, GA. He was preceded in death by his brothers Glenn Willis and Steve Willis; stepson Frank Rupp of Knoxville and grandson Quentin Rupp of Asheville. 

Celebration of Life services will be held November 30, 2024 at 2:00pm at the 11837 Grigsby Chapel Road location of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Donations in honor of David may be made to Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center of the Smokies thru this link https://funraise.org/give/Safe-Harbor-Child-Advocacy- Center/a623108b-8950-4b5b-b2f8-ea0e0533ec75 or QR code.