Donald Duane 'Don' Willson
Obituary
Lawrence Donald Duane "Don" Willson, 70, Lawrence,
died on Tuesday (Dec. 13, 2011) of heart failure at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1941, in Hoisington, the son of Lawrence and Pearle
Thoman Willson. He attended schools in Hoisington and Ellinwood, and graduated
from Winfield High School in 1959. He later graduated from Southwestern College
in Winfield in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in math education. He went on to earn
his first master's degree in mathematics from Pittsburg State University in
1971 and a second master's in school administration from Wichita State
University.
Willson spent 45 years as a public school educator in Kansas
and Colorado. He taught math for many years at Newton High School, as well as
Washburn University and Ottawa University. He was an assistant principal,
athletic director, principal and assistant school superintendent, eventually
retiring as superintendent of schools in Concordia.
After retiring, he taught math at Lawrence Free State High
School. He was a member of Rotary Club, a Paul Harris fellow and the Elks Club,
and served as president of the National Association of Athletic Directors from
1978 to 1979. He was a former head high school and college football coach and a
high school wrestling coach. He was an avid 30-year Canadian fisherman, enjoyed
traveling adventures and 14 cruise vacations, and was the ultimate University
of Kansas Jayhawk fan.
He married Carol Otto in 1964, and together they had three
children. He later married Gay Gregg in 1982. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include three children, Sheri Burge and
husband, Chris of Overland Park, Debbi Croxton of Kansas City, Mo., and Brad
Willson and wife, Lesley of Overland Park; two brothers, Wayne of Weatherford,
Okla., and Garrell of Loveland, Colo.; and 14 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents,
Lorena and Clyde Thoman and Ida and Floyd Willson.
A memorial celebration of life visitation for Donald Duane
"Don" Willson will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost
Funeral Home and Crematory.
As Don was a child polio survivor, the family suggests
memorial contributions to the Rotary International Polio Plus Program, in care
of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.
