David Kelley Willis

David Kelley Willis, age 91 of Knoxville, TN, passed away on January 14, 2026. David grew up in Knoxville in the Ball Camp Community. As a teenager, he went to live in Maryville with his uncle, Noah Easterday, where he worked at his uncle's grocery store while attending Maryville High School. David joined the Navy in 1953 during the Korean War and served his country until his honorable discharge in 1957. He came home to open a grocery store in Ball Camp, and he met the love of his life, Monica Joan Robinson, while working there. David and Monica married on January 18, 1958, and they spent the next 68 years building a life together filled with love. In 1972, David founded a construction company, and he built many single-family homes until his retirement. When the girls were young, David and Monica were supportive in all that they did, fetching and toting, attending events, and being their girls' biggest cheerleaders no matter what. After the girls grew up, Monica and he traveled, going on trips to Alaska and Hawaii, while they were able. Up to the very day he passed, you could find him working on a project at his home of 66 years. He was a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Margaret Willis, and his sister, Marjorie Willis Dickerson.

Survived by his wife Monica; his daughters Sherry Willis Sherman (Paul) and Karen Willis Hardin; eight grandchildren Elara A. Sherman, David S. Saulsbury (Theo), Ansel P. Sherman, Luke S. Saulsbury (Larkin), Jack A. Saulsbury, Ethan D. Hardin, Matthew T. Hardin, and Seth A. Hardin; a sister-in-law Jackie Robinson Windham; a nephew David A. Dickerson (BeeA); and nieces Adrienne Vandergriff Frain (Billy) and Lauren M. Vandergriff.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 17, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. A celebration of life service will follow at 2:00 pm, and the graveside service will be at Edgewood Cemetery at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Memorial Missions Fund at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church www.cspc.net/give/.