David “Willie” Pruitt passed away Friday, November 5, in Diaz, Arkansas. He was born in Newport, Arkansas on December 5, 1958, to the late Henry and Katherine Pruitt.
Willie attended school at W. F. Branch and was a 1977 graduate of Newport High School. He was an outstanding basketball, football, baseball, and track athlete. He married Laura Pruitt in 1978 and made a family together. He enjoyed drinking his Budweiser’s, cooking his famous gumbo, grilling, fishing, playing poker, tonk, being with family, and riding his motorcycle. He worked at George Kell and Taylor Made for many years until his health failed. Willie was funny and always had a witty comeback. His voice presence was strong, he was the definition of strength.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Henry Pruitt Jr., Leroy Pruitt, six sisters; Linda Pruitt, Brenda Pruitt, Mary Pruitt, Mae Dean Phillips, Francis Alexander, and Dora Marshall.
He is survived by the mother of his children; Laura Pruitt, three sons; David Pruitt and wife Ashley of Newport, Julius “Julio” Pruitt and wife Marylen of Arkadelphia, Koren Pruitt and wife Tiara of Little Rock, two daughters; Danyell Wren of Jacksonville, Mazie Shereka Johnson and husband David of Bentonville, four brothers; Troy Pruitt and wife Priscilla of Newport, Charles Pruitt and wife Sylvialene of Newport, Jimmy Pruitt and wife Sonya of Cordova, TN, Eddie Pruitt and wife Sharon of Newport, three sisters; Thelma Parker of Cleveland, Betty Green and husband Jimmy of Newport, Shirley Walker and husband Loyce of Newport, thirteen grandchildren; Daevon Pruitt of Newport, Oshae Pruitt of Tuckerman, Julius Pruitt of Scott, ILL, DJ Johnson of Bentonville, LaJavia Leonard of Jonesboro, Tremaille Pruitt of Newport, Antonio Pruitt of Newport, Tavia Johnson of Newport, Kaziah Pruitt of Dallas, TX, Leilani Pruitt of Arkadelphia, Kalei Pruitt of Arkadelphia, Iden Pruitt of Arkadelphia, Nova Kat Pruitt of Arkadelphia, one great grandson, Liam James Pruitt of Tuckerman, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special friends; Jerry Brown, Daren Turner, Ronnie Brazwell, and Norman Elston.
The memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2021, at the Dillinger Funeral Home Chapel.
