Dr. Willis D. Waite, known as the "Dr. Hugs" professor of psychology at Rock Valley College from 1966 to 1993, former Marsh School Superintendent (1953-1955), former Headmaster of Keith Country Day School (1955-1963), former secretary and treasurer of Holm-Page Company (1966-1972), and a former member of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra board (1977-1978), passed away Thursday, October 5, 2017 at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 92.

Willis was born on April 7, 1925, in Smithfield, Utah to George Irving and Bertha Topping Nelson Waite and grew up in the Logan, Utah area before moving to San Diego, California in 1941.

He married Beverly Joyce Landgren of Rockford, Illinois, on June 2, 1947 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They made Rockford their home from 1947 until 1993 when he retired from Rock Valley College and returned to his native Utah where they lived in West Jordan, Utah from 1993-2009, and then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho in 2009 until his passing.

He received his BA from Brigham Young University in 1947, his MA from the University of Wisconsin in 1956, and his PhD from the University of Illinois in 1966.

He is survived by his four sons: Randall Willis Waite of Springville, Utah; Willis D. Waite II "Bill" (Michelle) of Gilbert, Arizona; Thomas Dee Waite (Gina) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and James Arthur Waite (Beth) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, and 19 nieces and nephews. Beverly preceded him in death on November 18, 2011.

Willis served as Bishop of the Rockford LDS congregation from 1969-1972. Willis and Beverly served five full-time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; in France (three times), Switzerland and the Ivory Coast of Africa.

His Rock Valley College students were taught that the fundamental needs of man are the three A's: A for Affection, A for Acceptance, and A for Achievement. They were taught that dealing with their fellowman consisted of the four F's: (1) to be Firm in knowing that God is in his heavens and everything is in his hands, that we are all precious sons or daughters of God; (2) Friendly, to be a friend to everyone; (3) Fair, to be fair to everyone; and (4) Fun, to have fun in life.

Willis' formula for JOY in life was J for Jesus Christ; O for Others, and Y for You, that each and every person is a precious son or daughter of God.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund under Willis' name at http://give.lds.org/pef .

A viewing will be held at 6:00 PM followed by "A Life's Remembrance," a celebration of Willis' life, at 7:00 PM at Coltrin Mortuary on Monday, October 16, 2017. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 10:30 AM at the West Jordan Stake Center, 2666 West 7000 South, West Jordan, Utah.Interment in the Hyde Park Cemetery on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 3:00 PM. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com .