I would like share the following message from Dave’s family, we will continue to keep Dave his family and friends in our prayers. If there is anything we can to to help please let me know.- Tim
Dear eWilly’s readers:
My name is Karson Eilers, and I am David’s eldest son. I regretfully share the news that my dad passed away yesterday. My dad started eWillys because he had a difficult time finding information about vintage jeeps. What he found, and I think what really motivated him to keep building the site, was the community he found on here. He loved engaging with readers, answering questions, and identifying obscure jeep parts. When my dad’s final message was posted our whole family was moved by the outpouring of gratitude and support. We are so grateful to Tim for taking over the site and preserving this piece of his legacy. Thank you, all, for being a part of the eWillys journey!
Sincerely,
Karson Eilers
Prayers and condolences from Indiana. A big loss to the world.
I’m very sorry to read that news. My thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s family.
Sorry to hear that.
Always enjoyed my interactions with him, always intelligent and interesting.
RIP
Karson….Very sad news…Thank you for keeping your Dad’s ‘Jeep Family’ in the loop…He was a friend to many of us…Thoughts and prayers to Ann and you and all of your family…
RIP, Dave. Deepest condolences to his family.
Karson,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your father’s passing.
Please accept my sincere condolences on behalf of myself and the entire CJ3A Page community.
Many people knew Dave through eWillys, but I also had the privilege of knowing him personally. Back in 2012, when our members purchased The CJ3A Page from Jonathan George, Dave generously helped us through the hosting and technical migration. His knowledge, patience, and willingness to help made a difficult transition possible, and our community has continued to thrive because of people like him.
Dave was far more than a Jeep historian. He was a kind, humble, and generous person who was always willing to share his knowledge and encourage others. The Willys community is stronger because of everything he contributed over the years.
Please know that his work, his friendship, and his legacy will never be forgotten. Every day, thousands of Jeep enthusiasts continue to learn from the history he preserved and the communities he helped build.
Thank you, Karson, for letting us know and for sharing your father with all of us for so many years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and everyone who loved Dave.
Rest in peace, Dave. Thank you for everything.
Pascal Lavoie
The CJ3A Page
Karson,
Just know that your father touched the lives of thousands of people in small and large ways. He will be missed, but not forgotten.
Thank you for letting us know of his passing.
Barry
http://www.farmjeep.com
Sad news indeed. Besides all the people he helped, think of all the old jeeps he helped and continues to help rescue. How many fond memories he has has given so many of us. This part of him remains with us.
Thank you for everything Dave, we miss you already.
RIP Dave, and may the surviving family feel the deep and sincere compassion and appreciation and support offered. There was only “one Dave Eilers”, a true Willys champion and in general a very generous and knowledgeable Willys enthusiast, always ready to learn more and share it all to others. THANK YOU!
SteveKfl
South Florida
My families thoughts are with you Karson, your family, Brenda and hers and the many thousands of Willy’s enthusiasts Dave has touched over the years. In a world of many hero’s, your Dad is and always will be at the top of my list! He never ever shied away from a crazy dive into sleuthing and immersing himself into finding information on any of the crazy oddball, rare items I and many readers alike would send him. I have met sooooo many great people in the Ewillys world and would not be who I am today without the help and great friendship of Dave!
Hang tough Karson, Brenda, and all of Daves family as you try and make sense of this as I will too.
God speed Dave and I will never forget you. I hope he’s hanging with an incredible posse now and continuing to share his incredible knowledge and kindness. I so wish I could read his next book, but for now will reread the ones I have
Karson, so sorry to hear about your loss. We were all fortunate to have ”known” your father. He always got back to you if you had a question or comment and that even includes about 2 weeks ago when I told him he was a good friend to a lot of people he never even met!
Godspeed, David Eilers.
He was a net positive to this world, and we all appreciated him.
RIP Dave. From Barney & Carla Goodwin and Barney’s Jeep Parts. Generous is a word I keep seeing in the posts, and we were certainly recipients of his generosity in knowledge, time, and material. May God’s peace be with the family during this time.
Thank you David, for your support and dedication to our hobby. Really appreciated your help over the few years I’ve been addicted to these old jeeps.
Condolence to the Eilers family.
Your dad was a great man. I can’t tell you how many people found the jeeps they were looking for because of him.
He made countless friends along the way. He and Brenda stayed at our house a couple times when they were out this way and we were friend like we’d known each other our entire lives.
Know this, your dad made a difference in the world. He brought kindness and joy to so many.
I am saddened to read this news. Dave’s generosity in sharing his knowledge, easygoing readiness to learn more, sense of humor and openness, (no doubt patience and tact have been needed now and then also), have made ewillys a great thing over the years. Dave’s decency and gracefulness have been and are still such a pleasure.
Bill Frederick
Hate to hear this news. I found my FC-150 because of Dave and this website. I’ll be forever grateful to him. So sorry for your loss.
David was a true gentleman.
My condolences.
I am so sorry for the loss. I was wanting to come visit him, however my past couple weeks I couldn’t figure out when to get time. I should have at least phoned. Time is fleeting. Hugs to those that we care about.
Karson, Ann, and family. My wife and I are sorry to hear of Daves passing. I had the privilege to talk and email with Dave on several occasions. His knowledge, patience, and willingness to help others will be greatly missed by many people Worldwide! Your family will be in our prayers as you deal with your loss. Stay strong, and trust in Jesus Christ to help you find comfort.
Honoring the tradition of the sacred “Jeep Wave” in memory of Dave an avid Jeeper. (o)|||||||(o)
David may you rest in peace. I originally commented when I first heard about Dave going into hospice. At that time I also pulled up THREE PAGES of email discussions Dave and I had back in January 2026. When I learned he was battling advanced prostate cancer as I have been since 2023, I wanted to compare notes and advice about our struggles. He was amazingly open and helpful with lots and lots of details about what he was battling and how he was battling. That was 6mos. ago….I meant to reach out….I meant to follow up about a drug and a book he had suggested to me…..I never did ! If nothing else….let us all hopefully learn a lesson from Dave’s struggle and death. Please…please take time to embrace your family….your friends (the nice friends with Willys Jeeps)….tell people you love them….put people ahead of things.
As had stated in an earlier post….ewillys helped me find my 1953 CJ3B on a ranch in Lander Wyoming in 2013. My wife and I made a memorable trip to retrieve it in 2014. I lost my wife in 2022 after a 3yr. battle with a rare blood disease. Right now our family uses the Jeep to come together and celebrate family when we get together. Our one and only 7yr. old grandson can now reach over and make the shift from 2nd to 3rd on our quick bursts of speed in the neighborhood….priceless.
NONE of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Dave Eilers and ewillys. Our family will forever be grateful. My Ann and all the family find peace and comfort at this time. I will pray for all of you.
RIP Dave
I am so incredibly sorry. I’m sure he’s in heaven now catching up with loved ones, AND, of course conversing with the Willys designers and builders…..
Condolences to the Eilers family. We’re so fortunate for everything Dave gave to the vintage Jeep community. Although we never met, I always enjoyed our comment and email exchanges. The stories he shared and the history he preserved will be with us for a very long time. I learned so much here. Ewillys led me to my first flat fender Jeep and fostered a lifelong love for these machines. Thank you for everything, Dave. Rest in peace my friend.