Willis, circa 1995

Ronald Dale Willis
Missing since March 20, 1995 from Springfield, Lane County, Oregon.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: January 18, 1963
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 32 years old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'8 - 5'10"; 200 lbs.
• Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Light brown hair; brown eyes.
• Marks, Scars: Scar near left eyebrown, staph infection on forearm, previously fractured leg.
• Fingerprints: Available
• DNA: Available
• AKA: Dale

Circumstances of Disappearance
Dale was last seen in the early evening hours at his residence in the vicinity of the 370 block of S. 37th Place Springfield, Oregon.
His white 1982 Toyota pickup was located the following day near the Knox Butte exit in Salem, Oregon. The vehicle was found with the driver's side door open, keys in the ignition and a flat tire. The Oregon State Police troopers who stopped to check out the car had no idea it was involved with a disappearance. So the troopers closed the door, pulled the keys and called a tow truck.
At the time of his disappearance Dale Willis's life had hit a low point. His six-year marriage was on the rocks. He was fighting a drug habit that had cost him two jobs. And he was reaching out to his family and friends for help, trying to get his life back on track. Willis's father helped him find a new job, but he remained anxious about the future. A few days before he vanished, Willis approached his father for help. The father recalled Dale was acting paranoid and his thoughts were scattered. The father gave him some money and told him to stay at a friends house for a while.
While at the friend's house, Willis asked his pal to hold half the money his dad lent him so he wouldn't use it. Sometime between 2 and 3 a.m., on March 21, Willis entered his friend's bedroom and asked for the money back. He said he was going home.
The wife said they were having some issues, but nothing she believed would result in his leaving and disappearing. She said he grabbed a few things and left. That was the last time anybody saw Dale Willis.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Springfield Police Department
Sgt. Rick Putnam
541-726-3714

Agency Case Number: 95-3042

NCIC Number: M-817783812
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
NCMA
Corvallis Gazette-Times 1/15/05