David Barry Willis, 97, husband of Brenda Howell Willis of Hamden, passed away on January 15, 2026, surrounded by family. Born in New Haven December 2, 1928, he was the son of the late David C. and Esther Doolittle Willis. Loving father of Susan (David) Lizotte, Deborah Willis, and Barry Willis. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Brittany, Ashley, Maxine, and Tim; six great-grandchildren; and siblings, Joan Young, Dan Willis, and Carole Willis. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Willis, and his former wife, Janet Dinneen Willis.

David was a U.S. Air Force veteran. While stationed in Cape Cod, he started the tradition of having his family vacation there, which they cherished for many years and still do. He worked in the flooring industry before opening his own business, Willis & Company Floor Covering. He was very engaged in his community as a member of the Wallingford Elks Club and serving on the board of the Wallingford YMCA. As a lover of local and professional sports, Dave always attended the Hamden High and Quinnipiac University hockey games, and enjoyed rooting for the Yankees and the New York Giants. He also loved being on the water, whether it was teaching boating safety courses with the Coast Guard or shark fishing in Montauk.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with David's family on Monday, January 19 ^th from 11:30-12:30 p.m. in Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Air Force Military Honors and a service celebrating his life will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org . To send condolences, please see his obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.