Dr. Nathan Dale Willis D.D.S.

1961 - 2020

Dr. Nathan Dale Willis, D.D.S.

February 16, 1961 - December 23, 2020

Dr. Nathan Dale Willis, age 59, of Bluff City, Tenn., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. He was born on February 16, 1961, in Rogersville, Tenn.

Dale grew up in Knoxville, Tenn., and graduated from Central High School in 1979. He continued his education as a biology major at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1983, and then earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in 1987.

Upon graduation from dental school, Dale was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He served honorably as a Captain in the Dental Corps, with postings at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea; Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Campbell, Ky. After his military service, Dale moved to Bristol, Tenn., and began his lifelong career as a dentist and eventually as a partner with Alamont Dental Association.

Dale married Kristina Ann Reecher in 1994. Together, they raised three boys, Ian, 23, a graduate of Samford University, Nathan, 22, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and Dawson, 18, currently serving his first year of an appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Dale was well-known for service and philanthropy. He was a charter member of Discovery Church in Bristol where he served as Chairman of Elders. He was a Fellow in the American College of Dentistry; a Fellow in the International College of Dentists; and a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. Dale served on the Board of Directors for the Christian Medical and Dental Association; as President of the Board at the Bristol YMCA; and as a Cub Scout Pack Leader. He was a member of Kiwanis Club and volunteered at Healing Hands Health Center. In 2015, Dale won the Dr. Sig Gruenwald Humanitarian Service Award from the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry. He has completed numerous medical mission trips to serve others, and he has been recognized for service by countless organizations.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Kristina Reecher Willis; sons, Ian Willis and wife, Jessany, Nathan Willis, and Dawson Willis; "adopted" son, Drew White and wife, Morgan; father, John D. "Dee" Willis; sister, DeAnne Teague and her children, Chloe and Callie Teague; parents-in-law, Richard and Penny Reecher; sister-in-law and family, Stephanie, Kyle, Daniel, and Adam Sobke; and brother-in-law and family, Eric, Lisa, Jenna, Brady, and Marian Reecher. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Livesay Willis.

Dale will be well-remembered for his boundless Christian faith and his infinite dedication to Jesus Christ. He had a laugh which was loud, infectious, and well-known in many circles. Dale was a man of many passions and talents, including exercise, boating, woodworking, golf, travel, old movies, HUGE meals, mowing his fields on his tractor, and working on projects around his property. He loved Kristina, Ian, Nathan, and Dawson with all his heart, body, mind, and soul.

The funeral service will be private in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Matt Korell officiating and will be livestreamed to the public at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at www.oneroomstreaming.com Event ID: WeaverFH Password: IYOPBP. Interment will follow the service at Glenwood Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Healing Hands Health Center 245 Midway Medical Park, Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been made with Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Weaver Funeral Home & Cremation Services

630 Locust Street, Bristol, TN 37620