John David Wills

John David Wills, 62 years old, died on January 27, 2026 in the early afternoon after experiencing an aggressive cancer relapsing as a Secondary Central Nervous System Lymphoma. He had made a valiant effort to live.

A visitation and viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bill Head Funeral Home Lilburn/Tucker Chapel, 6101 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.

John was commonly known as "David" or Mr. Wills. David leaves behind his immediate family members to remember him: Linda, his loving wife of 11 years; his mother, Vera Elizabeth Wills; his two older brothers, John Glen Wills, III, and John Edwin Wills, II; his cousin, David Pate (Marilyn) and his cousins Sherri Smith and April Meyers; two twin nephews, Andrew and Alexander Wills; and mother-in-law, Ruth and other in-laws. David leaves behind his two dogs, Brie and Amber, who will miss him greatly. David ordered them many dog treats and toys during his illness while away from them.

John David Wills was predeceased by his father, John Glen Wills, Jr.; a sister, Glenda Wills Holland; Cousins John Charles Pate, III, John Stephen Pate (Patti), and John Timothy Pate. David was also predeceased by his father-in-law, Albert, Sr.

David was a 1981 Briarcliff High School graduate; a college graduate earning two Bachelor of Science degrees. His first degree was in Business Management from Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA); his second degree was in Accounting and graduated with Honors from Oglethorpe University (Brookhaven, GA). David was a fraternity member of Alpha Tau Omega, Eta Beta Chapter.

Mr. Wills was a 10 year resident of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He was currently employed by the United States Virgin Islands Department of Education and worked as an accountant at John H. Woodson Jr. High School, Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, and Eualie Rivera, Pre-K to 8th (2019 – 2026). He also worked as a Paraprofessional at John H. Woodson Jr. High School working in the classroom with the students (2015 – 2019). Prior to moving to the U.S. Virgin Islands, David retired after 25 years at SunTrust Bank/Truist in Atlanta, Ga performing a variety of positions beginning as a teller and completed his employment in the Compliance Division in 2015, thereby, surrendering all his federal licenses for auditing the 6th largest bank in the nation in several states.

David had many fantastic qualities and a quiet disposition. He was a kind, gentle, man who was well thought, creative, and loving. David was a helpful human being, a problem solver, and took initiative. David's sense of humor kept his wife, friends, and family laughing for years! David bloomed where he was planted. He liked history, Shakespeare, Star Trek, Star Wars, and was well read. He even read a Star Wars book written in Shakespearian style writing. He took the U.S. Coast Guard class and became a boater crossing the Caribbean ocean. He loved the British Virgin Islands, too. He made fine dining meals. He also loved to bake, cook, grill, and smoke meats. He won 2nd place for his cornbread in a large competition and entered the Chili cook off competitions often. He even did community theatre. He loved his wife and spoiled her daily. He loved his friends, and he loved the people he worked for at the Department of Education and at John H. Woodson Jr. High School. He loved his family. He liked to help people. He would look around the parking lot at a bulk store, and see which older lady or man he could help to place heavy items from their cart into their car. He liked poems and would recite one every Spring. He planted local fruit trees, made red grout, and liked his fungi. He loved the band Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights who would come by at Christmas time on the local streets of St. Croix in the night. He liked to hike, bike, and travel. He liked to entertain guests, cut grass, and do whatever needed to be done. David became Catholic in 2017. His confirmation name was John David Valentine Teresa Wills. He loved the pope and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. David was a member of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in downtown St. Croix, and participated in the That Man is You program. David received his anointing and his last Catholic sacraments before his death. His faith in God and the life thereafter even inspired the priest. John David Wills enjoyed his journey here on earth and had a zest for life.

Special Thanks to friends that made it possible to help David and his wife spend time together in his last months! Thanks to his fellow employees who donated sick leave to him. You are not forgotten. And Thanks to Emory University Hospital, Emory Winship Cancer Institute and David's entire care team.

Flowers are welcome. But, in lieu of flowers, David requested any donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at www.billheadfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Bill Head Funeral Home, Tucker/Lilburn Chapel. 770.564.2726