Donald Wills

On the afternoon of March 25, 2014 Don passed away after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease, comforted by family at Norman Regional Hospital, Norman, OK. Don was 95 years old.

Don was born in Valley City, North Dakota on January 24, 1919, the youngest of seven children to Florence Alice and Arthur William Wills. While his family moved around a great deal he mostly grew up in North St. Paul, Minnesota.

Don served as a medic in World War II in the 438th Medical Collecting Company during five of the toughest campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

After his Honorable discharge from the Army, Don and wife Anna lived in St. Paul, Minnesota where he worked several years for Sugar Creek Creamery. In 1960 he moved his family to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he worked at Wilsey Bennett Butter Packing Company as Head of Maintenance until his retirement.

In his lifetime Don had been a member of SPEBSQSA (barbershop quartets), sang in his church choir, was a charter member of Epworth United Methodist Church in St. Paul, MN, a member of Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, OK, a Freemason, an amateur carpenter who loved to work in his shop, golfer, a mentor, an inventor and liked to play Penny Ante Poker with friends and family.

He served his Lord in obedience to the Word, loved his family, and was a man of integrity and honor.

Don was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Anna, parents Florence and Arthur, brothers Larry, Stewart and Lloyd, and sisters Leela, Norma, and Bernita.

He is survived by daughter Judith Stolpe and husband Richard of Oceanside, California, son Bob Wills and wife Sally of Grand Forks, North Dakota, daughter Ruth Freeman and husband Junior of Yukon, Oklahoma, and sister-in-law Pat Gatto and husband Jim of Chestertown, Maryland. He has six grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and caring friends.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 30, 2014 from 12pm-8pm. The family of Donald Wills will receive friends from 1pm-3pm on Sunday, March 30, 2014. Funeral services will be 2pm Monday, March 31, 2014 in the Guardian Funeral Home West Chapel, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Oklahoma City. Arrangements under the direction of Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel, Oklahoma City.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association.