“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing 
and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.” 
? Rumi

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dave Willis was a fantastic person. He was my first boss in television, which spoiled me for the rest. What an honorable, kind, good man, and he loved his kids--I remember how much and how lovingly he talked about them. He was also a heck of a lot of fun! My love to his family.

Everyone loved Dave and with good reason: Dave was a true class act and one of the kindest souls to inhabit the supervisor's chair at CNN Headline News - patient, smart as a whip and always smiling. I am very fortunate to have worked with Dave during my time there.

So sorry to hear of David's passing. His wit and charm will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to Anne, his family, and friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Anne, and David's family.  David was a courageous, kind, and dear man. We are so grateful to have known him.  

Our love and sincerest condolences for your loss.  Sharon and Barry Stabile

David was an amazing father, who will be missed by many. He had a zest for life and cooking. He will live on in his 3 wonderful children. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Many years ago David imparted some valuable advice to me that changed my life. He was such a pleasant guy, always had a smile for me. Thank you, Dave. God rest your soul.

Dave was amazingly kind and generous to a newbie at Headline News in 1990.  He was patient with me as I struggled with the intricacies of the newsroom, and I'll always remember his kindness.  And that lovely smile.  My very best wishes to the entire family, all the way from my current perch in Bombay.  Thank you, Dave, for having been such a wonderful colleague.

Just learned about this today. I am so very sorry for your loss.  It had been many years since I'd seen Dave but I have always regarded him as a consummate professional, mentor and journalist.  I still have fond memories every Fat Tuesday of the King Cakes that Dave would bring into the newsroom (I think his mom sent them, right?). Dave, you were a great man and you will be missed by many. Thank you for touching my life as you have so many others.

David and I were friends and classmates 
from grade school through high school. I haven't seen David in years and after reading all these wonderful comments David never changed a bit. The nicest person I ever knew made this world a better place.

My sincerest condolences are extended to David's family and friends.  Even though I had the privilege of knowing you just a few years as a life-long friend of Anne Mulvihill Stone, I will always remember your beautiful smile and spirit.

Although Dave committed much time and heart to CNN, it was his family that fed his soul. David and his wife Jamie cherished their children and were a  wonderful addition to Avondale. We have fond memories of what Dave and his family brought to the community. Our prayer hold steady their children.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Sending love and prayers to  all those  who loved Dave. We were neighbors and friends when our kids were preschoolers at Avondale Patillo! Love and peace to Dave, Jamie, Dominique, Cameron, and Madelyn- that was the family we knew and loved so many years ago.

Dave was always a calm and smiling presence in the Headlines newsroom.  Not always an easy combination to find in our business.  I missed him when he left CNN, and I miss him even more knowing that he's left this world.  Wishing peace and joyful memories to all family and friends.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dave's family. 
Dave loved that job and it showed in everything he did. He made everyone feel special and you wanted to give that extra something just to see his face light up.  God bless you will be missed.

Dominique, Cameron and Madeline: Your Dad was always a class act. Those of us who had the pleasure of working with him know he was the nicest journalist in the business. He was loved and admired by everyone he ever worked with. 

We are sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and the rest of your family.

Kate, Brendan and Sean Underwood

I can't think of Dave without smiling.  He always had a twinkle in his eye, no matter what.  He was compassionate, a great newsman and darned funny.  I loved to hear him chuckle.

Dave embodied class, kindness, and professionalism. He treated everyone with respect and always made you want to do your best. One of a kind. He is missed.

Dave's family, I'm so sorry for your loss. 

I was a freshly minted -- and pretty clueless- journalist when I worked for him at Headline News years ago. I admire the way he put up with all of us newbies, calmly teaching us while dealing  with the craziness of breaking news. 

My thoughts are with you.

Dave was a terrific guy and a wonderful, supportive boss.  I'll always remember his humor, his courage, and his never-ending smile.

Dave was the heart and soul of Headline News. He was so incredibly talented and so kind hearted, with a tremendous sense of humor to boot. We all respected Dave and looked up to him as our leader. He was a great newsman, and more imortantly, an even better person. What a privilege it was to have known him.

Dave, 
My heart is breaking! You touched us all at Headline News and you will be missed very much.  My deepest condolences to your family and friends. 

Peace.

Oh, that smile. How it reminded the rest of us what was important. Dave cared about the news, he cared about doing the job right, but most of all he cared about the people around him. That he did all three with such grace and humor is what defined him in my eyes.

Clearly, Dave impacted a lot of young newspeople, including me.  I've always missed being around Dave, but never more than right now. Rest in peace, my friend.

I'm sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort help you through this difficult time.

So sorry to learn of this.  Dave was such a pleasant person to know and to work with.  Such a kind and gracious man.  Our condolences to his family.

I was saddened to hear of Dave's passing.  We went to LSU together and had almost every journalism class together.  He was a great friend and I loved his sense of humor. My prayers go out to the family at this difficult time.

Dave was a wonderful person to work with -- smart, funny, conscientious and compassionate. My deepest condolences to his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Willis family during this difficult time.

My heart aches.  Dave was strength in leadership, dignity in illness, loved and respected by all.  We have missed him in the newsroom this last decade and shall continue to do so.

Dave was always the steady hand. His leadership was vital on the evening Desert Shield became Desert Storm and we fired the opening rounds in the Gulf War. CNN and CNN Headline News truly led the way. Dave's leadership on that occasion was typical of his professionalism and skill as a communicator. Sincere sympathies to his family and his many friends who will always miss him, as I do.

Dave had recently become part of a group of high school friends know as the AKA Club (his AKA name is Willy). I'm very glad we were able to reconnect with him after several years of no contact. We will miss him greatly. As with others, my thoughts and prayers will be with his family, as only time will make the loss more bearable.

Dave was one of a kind.. A kind-hearted passionate newsman with an incredible sense of humor. He was a great leader who made breaking news fun and inspired us all want to do better. He was a friend to everyone, and a dedicated and proud father.  He impacting so many lives.

It was such a nice surprise when I first met Dave.  Being an LSU grad, I loved finding out he had worked with my uncle at WBRZ in Baton Rouge and shared my great pride in my home state.  He was always encourging and always had a big smile and a kind word that could really pick up my day.  My thoughts are with Dave's family at this time.

My sincere condolences to David's loved ones. I was his neighbor in Park Vista and graduated with him from EA, where I knew him to be a smart and friendly guy, well-liked by all. May God bless and keep you all during these sad days.

When I think of Dave I think of this phrase... "Brains and a smile that wouldn't quit."  We will sure miss the light of that smile in our lives.  I hope you are comforted by knowing how Dave's light guided so many of us just beginning our professional lives.  He was a leader, mentor, friend and example of what a great boss should be.  And the whole time, he made the whole thing so much fun!  Sending his family my warmest regards and deepest sympathy.  Joan Drummond

Thank you for being a leader at Headline News. I loved your enthusiasm, your sense of humor. Dave was a JOURNALIST!!!!!!

Brian Feeney Pasadena, Ca.

Dave was a great guy! I will remember him for his wonderful sense of humor. My prayers go out to his family.

I have so many fond memories of Dave that is it hard to share just one.  More than anything, I will always remember his warmth, his sense of humor, his gentle nature and his love for his children. He also introduced me to my first ever king cake! I think of him every year at Mardi Gras. We've lost an amazing human being and I know he will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family.

This is very sad news. I worked with Dave at Headline News, and he was one of the most capable, helpful and supportive bosses I ever worked for.

Loved working with Dave at Headline News.  He was the BEST supervisor.  Also enjoyed the King cake he had flown in for the newsroom from Louisiana every Mardi Gras!  And he and I always talked about our beloved Astros.  My condolences to his family.

Although we haven't crossed paths much post CNN, his passing truly saddens me, like the loss of an older brother and (sometimes) partner in crime. I can honestly say that I've never known a nicer man than Dave and that of all the newspersons I've been in the presence of...none were better than Dave! God bless you my friend. May the Angels of Heaven rejoice at your arrival. My love and prayers to his children and family.

David was a class act. Kind, intelligent and a true leader. He made this world just a little better with his integrity. He will truely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Dave was a well-loved neighbor.  Our familes shared many holidays together, celebrated good times, supported each other through life's challenges.  David's courage and sheer will to live, despite the enormous adversity he has faced over these past 16 years has always been an inspiration for those of us who have known and cared for him.  Ann, Dominique, Cameron, Madelyn, Mary, Charles, and brothers Charles, Richard & Durand...you've been his "Energizer Bunnies" over the past years.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Susan

Have many many fond memories of holidays spent with Dave and his family.  Also many fond memories of gatherings and celebrations over the years. 

David - a remarkably strong and courageous individual and most loving and devoted partner, father, son, sibling, friend.

He put up a colossal fight over these past 16 years. 

Ann, and the love of his children, parents, siblings, and friends have kept him on the face of this earth for all these years. My condolences to all!  Susan

I worked with Dave at CNN Headline News.
No matter how tough a night we had getting shows on the air, Dave would always come back to the edit department at the end of our shift and make sure I knew he respected working with me and my edit staff. Usually we had a laugh or two about how crazy the news biz was --  Dave was a fine man to work with.

I remember when he was diagnosed, and how strong he was about it, and I admired him even more.

Dave also offered support when my first child was born sick and died -- I was touched by his generosity and caring.

My heart goes out to you, Dave's family -- I am so sorry he is gone.

Dave was a pleasure to work with and learn from. He was really one of the kindest people I've ever met and the leader in the best newsroom in which I've worked. I owe a lot of my continuing career in TV and journalism to his guidance. His spirit will live on in all those he touched at Headline News. And his laugh still rings in my ears. My best to all his friends and family.

Dace was such a kind person... and the best supervising producer a newbie in the business could ever have. He was a mentor in my life.... My sympathies to the family... he was just a light in the HLN newsroom.... and it will still burn bright in my mind!

I'm so sorry so to hear about Dave's passing. He was a consummate professional and I enjoyed working with him at Headline News very much. One of my favorite memories was on Christmas day, I had brought my Rock'em-Sock'em robots to work and he would wheel around the corner from the newsroom to knock a block off then dash back to supervise the next show! And we always wished each other a happy birthday as they were one day apart. May God bless you all and keep you close.

I am so sad to hear about Dave's passing. He was such a wonderful supervisor and mentor at Headline News. Dave always had a smile on his face and was always so quick with a joke. It made the sometimes somber and always stressful business of TV news much more enjoyable. My condolences to the family.

Dave was a great man and was such great person to work with. He made all of us better for having known him. He was smart, funny and was just a pleasure. He will be missed but always remembered. God bless.

We'll miss Dave's wonderful sense of humor and his big heart. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. 

William Pate and Judy Trotochaud

Dave was a very kind and fair man. He was so encouraging when I was cross trained to produce a show. He was ready to trust in me to do a show. I backed out. God bless.

I am so very sad to learn of Dave's passing. He was a great colleague. Prayers to Dave and his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Dave was a good newsman and a true gentleman.  My sincerest condolences to his family.

A great boss and a joy to work with. Dave truly embodied the best of what was Headline News. He will be missed.

In a business full of way too serious people, Dave always had a smile on his face and put things in proper perspective. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Dave was an amazing guy.  He had a big heart and his sense of humor was fantastic.  Dave was a wonderful mentor to me.  I only wish I could've been the kind of manager he was.  He loved his family and talked about the kids all the time.  He was an incredible person... and I'll never forget his smile, or his BEARD!

Dave was a kind, decent man. Bless his family at this time. Miss you Dave.

It was my honor to work with Dave and learn from him at CNN Headline News. Perpetually upbeat, always on the ball, and determined to do the best work possible and have fun while doing it -- you couldn't ask for a better role model. You left us far too soon, Dave. Your family is in my thoughts.

It's been too long since we last spoke and too sad to imagine not being able to do so again. Thanks for your stability to my brand of insanity. You were such a bright light, a good friend and brilliant person. I'll miss you always.

Dave touched many lives, including mine. I miss his wisdom and sage advice. He was a great supervisor and a dedicated journalist.

Dave was joy to work with.  I will miss him dearly.

Dave worked with me for 3 years. I knew him prior to that by reputation. Very classy person. Honest, no BS, straight as an arrow. One of the best! Glad I had the opportunity to know him.

Dave was hands-down one of the best bosses I've ever had. He ran the newsroom at Headline News with a Cajun flair, and a big smile. He was a good friend and a mentor to me. May those memories keep his spirit alive for you... as they do for me. Whenever we cut into a King Cake, I'll think of Dave.

Maddie you and your family are in our thoughts. 
Becky, Neil and family

Dave was my supervisor and colleague at CNN, and a joy to work with at Headline News. With steadiness under pressure, and a robust sense of humor, Dave Willis was a great journalist, a temperate manager and a friend for life.  God rest the soul of Dave Willis.

OBITUARY

David O. Willis

December 19, 1954 – November 26, 2012

H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel

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