David W. Wills

1942 - 2024

David W. Wills

South Hadley, MA - David Wills, 81, of Amherst, passed away peacefully on January 18, after a year-long battle with lymphoma. He will be remembered as a kind, generous, and profoundly insightful man who valued his family, his faith, and his professional craft as a teacher and scholar.

David was born on January 25, 1942 to Theodore and Elizabeth, in Portland, Indiana. David eventually moved to Monrovia, California, where he met and married Carolyn Montgomery in 1964. The two went on to have three sons, John, Ted, and Thomas, who, in time, produced six grandchildren.

David enjoyed a long and rewarding career in academia. After earning his A.B. in history from Yale University in 1962, he continued his education, graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1966, and earning his Ph.D. in Religion and Society in 1975 from Harvard University. He joined the faculty of Amherst College in 1972, where he would teach until his retirement in 2018. Profoundly dedicated to his scholarship and teaching, he was a mentor to students and colleagues, alike. A discerning, insightful, and meticulous historian, David's scholarly interests were broad and diverse, often exploring the nexus of history, religion, and the African American experience. Although he spent some time in the Black Studies and American Studies departments at Amherst College, the Religion Department was his true home.

David was a man of great personal integrity, epitomized by his commitment to social justice in both his personal conduct and his scholarship. He was thoroughly thorough, and conscientiously conscientious, and these qualities permeated all of his loves and passions. He took delight in thinking deeply, and in engaging in lively discourse. This was true in his scholarly pursuits, but equally true when discussing the Red Sox's prospects – poor, given their questionable starting pitching – or the optimal time to depart for a 6:00 dinner reservation – 5:23, clearly – or how to approach dessert – get one of everything and extra forks. He delighted in his family, and particularly in his role as granddaddy, and treasured annual family gatherings on North Carolina's coast, and later at Lake Champlain in Vermont. To his family, his students, and his colleagues he was generous with his time, his energy, and with his thoughts (not to mention his extensive supply of jelly beans, gum drops, fudge, and malted milk balls). He was a great listener, adept at making the comments or asking the questions that would help one reach clarity without being prescriptive or overtly directive. He was a devoted member of the Grace Episcopal Church congregation throughout his years living in Amherst and contributed regularly and generously to innumerable charities and organizations.

David was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn, their son John Wills and his wife, Cynthia, and their two children, Alexandria and Elliot; their son Theodore and his wife, Melanie, and their three children, Maya, Ethan, and Owen; and their son, Thomas, and his daughter, Samantha. David also leaves an older brother, Theodore.

Calling hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Home, Amherst, on Monday, January 29, from 4:00-6:00 PM. A Memorial Service followed by a reception will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, in Amherst, on Tuesday, January 30, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Hospice House of Fisher, in Amherst, in recognition of the loving care they provided to David in his final days.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com