David Willis

March 15, 1927 - June 4, 2023

Passed away from a stroke in McMinnville, Oregon. All of his childhood was lived in South Pasadena. His parents were separated and then divorced when he was an infant. He was raised for his first five years by his maternal grandmother while his mother supported the family. From age six, he and his mother lived independently while she worked in banking and later as city treasurer.

After graduating from high school in South Pasadena in 1944, he attended the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now Biola University), from which he received a Bachelor of Theology in 1949 and a BA in 1951. He also graduated from Pasadena City College in 1951. Next he attended Wheaton College in Illinois from which he received a BS in General Science in 1952. In 1954 earned an MA in Biology from California State University, Long Beach. Finally, in 1963 he completed a PhD in Radiation Biology at Oregon State University.

David met his future wife, Earline Fleischman, during his senior year at Biola. They were married in 1950. Three sons were born to them:  David, Jr, Paul, and Daniel. In 1955, Earline contracted polio, which left her partially paralyzed. This, however, did not keep them from enjoying many travels together. They lived in Southern California until 1961, when they moved to Corvallis, Oregon. After his retirement they moved to a retirement community in McMinnville, in 1998. Earline died of cancer in 2005 and David married longtime family friend Ruth Vincent in 2006.

David was a lifelong teacher. He first taught at Brethren High in Paramount, 1952-1954. Subsequently he taught science at Fremont Junior High School in Anaheim, 1954-1957. Next he was a biology instructor at Fullerton Junior College, 1957-1961. Finally he was a professor of Radiation Biology at Oregon State University, 1962-1994 (also serving, for many years, as Department Chairman for General Science). As a radiation biologist, he was involved in teaching, research and consulting in the field of radioecology. He was the author or co-author of many books and scientific articles in this field, most notably Radiotracer Methodology in the Biological, Environmental and Physical Sciences (1975). His research was supported by the US Atomic Energy Commission, the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Energy, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. He served as a consultant for the Portland General Electric Company from 1970-1972 in connection with their construction of the Trojan Nuclear Plant. Throughout his years in both Corvallis and McMinnville, he relaxed by working on his elaborate model railroad.

David made a Christian commitment when in high school and was active in various churches throughout the rest of his life. He was a bible class teacher in churches for over 65 years. For 12 of those years he taught the University Class at First Baptist Church in Corvallis, with over 100 students each Sunday. Because of his background in both theology and science, he was frequently called upon to speak on the relation of faith and science in colleges and churches.

Survivors include his three sons:  Dave Willis of Lincoln, Oregon; Paul (Sharon) Willis of Santa Barbara; and Dan Willis of McMinnville. In addition, he had four beloved grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Macy & Son Funeral Home, June 10, 2023