Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:11 pm Wednesday, February 23, 2022

John David Willis

John David Willis, 63, passed away Feb. 23 at home in Russellville.

David was a Russellville High School graduate and a proud truck driver before retiring from the road. He is the oldest son of John Walter Willis and Anna Colleen Willis of Russellville.

David was a music fan and motorcycle lover, and loved dogs and his family. He loved to hunt and fish and was exploring a new hobby of rockhounding and gemstone collecting. He was an avid reader and will be remembered most for his sense of humor and vast knowledge of trivia, interesting topics and colorful conversations.

He is survived by his mother, Anna Colleen Willis, of Russellville; his sister, Dawn Willis Thorn and Donald Thorn, of Red Bay; his sister Joni Willis Bryan, Ashland City, Tenn.; nieces and nephews Amber and Tyrus Arthur, Nashville, Tenn., Rachel Bryan, Knoxville, Tenn., DeeAnna Heym and Jason Heym, Huntsville, Whitney Thorn, Tuscaloosa; and great-niece Aoife Heym.

He also was loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, special friends, fellow truckers and colleagues. We will miss our beloved uncle.

The family will honor David’s life Feb. 26 at noon at Spry Funeral Home, 907 Jackson Ave. S., Russellville. Information can be found online at www.sprymemorialchapel.com.

Also on Franklin County Times
Drone contraband is becoming a problem
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Area law enforcement officials say they support the idea of more authority to stop drones from delivering contraband into jails. Alabam...
Oliver: Too many children are being abused
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County deputies investigated 85 cases involving child and sexual abuse in 2025. “For a county the size of Franklin County, tha...
Sentencing delayed again in manslaughter trial
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Brandy Dowdy will have to wait even longer to learn how long she will serve in prison after her sentencing was delayed for the second t...
Garden club hosts plant, bake sale
Columnists, News, Red Bay
In the Community
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RED BAY — The Red Bay Garden Club held its annual plant and bake sale Saturday at the high school greenhouse to raise funds for projects across the ci...
Has the city on a hill lost its shine?
Columnists, Opinion
April 15, 2026
Ronald Reagan used the “Shining City on a Hill” as a metaphor for the United States as a beacon for freedom and democracy in the world. Joe Biden ofte...
Delta Kappa Gamma learns gardening tips
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
April 15, 2026
Our April meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville featured a lively and practical program by Trace Barnett, a native of...
TVA president, CEO announces retirement
News
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
Less than a year after he was named president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Don Moul told members of the board of directors he will be re...
Students’ art selected for State Capitol exhibit
News, Russellville
By Maria Camp camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The art of three Russellville Elementary School students is on display at the Alabama State Capitol through April 28. Khloe Ball, a fou...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *