David H. Witty

ORANGE, MA — David Henry Witty went to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on January 8th, 2022 with his wife, Monica, by his side.

He was born in Lynn, MA on November 23rd, 1953 to Ivan and Virginia Witty (Schubert) . He graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1971. He attended UMass Amherst and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1975.

After graduation, David moved to Maine to work with the Navigator ministry until God led him into the US Army as an officer in 1978. David always believed that his mission field was the Army and his purpose was to help others experience the love of God. He was stationed in Friedburg, Germany with 3/32 Armor, 3rd Bde, 3rd Armored Division as a Tank Commander. When his tour of duty was over David decided to extend his tour, because he had just led a young soldier to Christ and wanted to disciple him. It was during this extension that he met his wife of 38 years, Monica Witty (Perry). They were married in 1983 in Bedworth, England and moved to Fort Knox, KY where David was Company Commander of Basic Training Unit, Company A, 18th Bn, 4th Training Bde, an assignment which he loved. When he left that position the people who worked with him presented him with a Bible which they had engraved. From Fort Knox, David was assigned to East Stroudsburg University, PA as Professor of Military Science. While at this assignment David took the opportunity to obtain his Master's Degree in History in 1990 and his thesis was "The Louisiana Purchase: An Historical Analysis". David's last assignment in the US Army was at Fort Benning, GA where he conducted the primary research and development for the first ever rifle scope applied to both the M16A2 rifle and the M4 Carbine. He also authored the Combined Arms Services Small Arms Master Plan, an official white paper document which stood as the Infantry School and Center's official blueprint for the research and development of future small arms out to the year 2005. David served a total of 14 ½ years in the US Army reaching the rank of Major and was proud to serve his country.

He then moved to Orange, MA, obtained his Teaching Degree from UMass Amherst and worked at Yankee Candle for 25 years until his retirement in 2019. He joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard as part of the 1166th Transportation Company and served another 10 years. David served during Desert Storm and served in Kosovo; an assignment he was proud to be a part of at such a crucial time in history. His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal with first oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with third oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

David loved his family and he was always there for them. His daughters were his pride and joy and he unselfishly put his family before himself. He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. David had a soft spot for the family cats over the years and used to say "A house is not a home without a cat". He loved to share with anyone the truths of the Bible and taught a Bible Study at Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church. He was an avid reader of American History and was thrilled to visit all of the Civil War battlefields. Friends who went with him to the battlefields said, "The battlefields came alive with his vivid historical explanations, passion and enthusiasm". David enjoyed bird watching and could identify all the birds who call New England home. He loved to travel both in the United States and internationally. The universe and galaxies fascinated him and he would often marvel at their wonders, as well as, the mystery of those which we cannot even see. He considered them testaments of God's greatness and creativity.

David was predeceased by his twin brother, Dana Witty, his father Ivan Witty, his mother Virginia Witty (Schubert), his mother-in-law Mona Perry (Willis), sister-in-law Marian Perry and niece Robin Prince. David is survived by his wife, Monica and daughters, Brittany Mills and Laryssa Witty, and his brother Thomas Prince, whom David respected and looked up to his whole life. David loved his son-in-law Kevin Mills and Laryssa's life partner, Dr. Roger White. David loved his sister-in-law Joyce Prince and each of his nieces Lori Noreen, Tara Garvey and Shelley Devane, his sister-in-law Leslie Witty and niece Clara Witty. He loved his wife Monica's family in England, father-in-law Ronald Hugh Perry, brothers-in-law Ronald and Robert Perry and nephew Paul Wells and sister-in-law Mandy Watts.

There are no calling hours.

Services will be held at Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church, 40 Island Street, Athol, on Tuesday January 18th at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Mary Owen officiating.

Interment will be private in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, MA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either The Navigators www.navigators.org or Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church, Ministry of Mercy Fund, 40 Island Street, Athol, MA 01331.

Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM