David Lee Wills (75) of Indianapolis passed peacefully to his heavenly home surrounded by family and friends on Friday, November 5, 2021. He was born on March 11, 1946 at Methodist Hospital to Kenneth Glenn, Sr. and Annalee (Nicholson) Wills who preceded him in death. David often recalled their Grandmother Wills living next door on Banner Avenue, when that area was surrounded by Weir Cook Municipal Airport. 

David graduated from Speedway High School with honors in 1964. At Greenville College, IL (now University) he met his wife of 53 years, Carole Janean Brandt. They married on July 13, 1968 during his graduate studies at Purdue University. There he earned a Masters in organic Chemistry, and “was dangerously close” to a PHD in inorganic Chemistry. Realizing lab work wasn’t for him, he went on to Harvard Law School (1972-1975), graduating Cum Laude with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. As a partner of Bose, McKinney & Evans, LLP, Indianapolis, David’s thirty-three year law practice centered mainly on real estate development, business and corporate law. He was recognized by colleagues for his prowess in drafting complex agreements protecting the interest of his clients far into the future. In addition to gaining a reputation as a successful tough negotiator, he also trained, nurtured and encouraged dozens of younger attorneys. In 1998, David was Recipient of the Indianapolis Bar Association Pro Bono Award for twenty-one years of volunteer work for numerous community service organizations, church and educational institutions: Greenville College, The Free Methodist Church of North America, John Wesley Free Methodist Church, Wabash Conference of the Free Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, and the Community Development Law Center (f/k/a Community Organizations Legal Assistance Project, Inc.) (founding member). In the following years, other volunteer service included NAMI Indianapolis (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Woodacre Section 1 Homeowners Association, Inc (President) and The Starfish Initiative. David considered his Starfish mentoring experience one of the greatest privileges he ever had. Despite his demanding law practice and fulfilling volunteer work, David and his family frequently vacationed on the coast of Maine and snow skied in Utah. In their late 50’s, he and Carole took up ballroom dancing, international and local travel. After his retirement, David added motorcycling, hiking, etymology and photography to his love of life, learning and adventure. 

His most notable solo Yamaha Raider bike trip was approximately 8,000 miles round trip from Indy to the West Coast in 23 days. This quote from his last email “log” entry to those following him could now be fitting for his heavenly home-going: “For now, before signing off, I would like to thank all who kept me in their thoughts and prayers; all who gave me itinerary recommendations and introductions to mutual friends on my route; all who graciously and generously opened their homes to this traveling biker; and all who have taken the time to share this journey with me by reading my emails. God bless you all. David” 

David is survived by his wife, Carole, son, Justin Christopher, daughter, Miriam Kendra Wills-Scott, (David) grandchildren Ceilidh, Caleb and Phoebe, and brother, Kenneth Glenn Wills, Jr. We will miss his sound advice and unique view point on almost every issue. One never had to wonder where he stood on matters. He seldom backed away from a challenge, whether it was complex home repair projects, a black diamond ski slope, a winding road on his motorcycle or battling prostate cancer. Even in that, he won the fight, in the eternal sense. 

A memorial service followed by a visitation & reception will begin at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 23, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 445 E. Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Starfish Initiative or Community Development Law Center (f/k/a Community Organizations Legal Assistance Project, Inc.).