Donald R. “Don” Willis
Donald R. “Don” Willis
Donald R. “Don” Willis passed away peacefully on April 15,
2012, at the age of 72.
Don was born on October 27, 1939, in McCall, Idaho, to Charles
E. “Gene” and Marjorie V. Willis. As a child, Don and his older brother Archie enjoyed
camping, hunting, and fishing with their parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The
family moved to Riggins in 1946. Don graduated from Salmon River High School in the
spring of 1957. Don attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, graduated with a
degree in education, and began teaching and coaching sports at Meridian High School.
During Don’s college years, he worked for the Forest Service out of Riggins
during the summers. In 1961, he met Patricia Smith, and they were married later that year
(they divorced in 1978). Don and Pat had five children, Phillip, Lisa, Don, Tom, and
David. Shortly after Don and Pat married, Don left teaching and went to work full-time for
the Forest Service in Riggins and Grangeville. During the course of his distinguished career with the
Forest Service / BLM, Don worked in Walla Walla, WA, Newport, WA, Colville, WA, John
Day, Oregon, Estacada, Oregon, Tucson, Arizona, and eventually Boise, Idaho, where
he retired from the National Interagency Fire Center in 1990. He held many
positions, including, Fire Dispatcher, Snow Ranger at a ski hill, pack mule wrangler,
and wild land fire expert. He spent many summers fighting forest fires for extra money. He
was also actively involved in the writing of several wildfire training manuals
that are still used today.
Don was also actively involved with the National Ski Patrol and
worked at several ski areas, including Bogus Basin. After his retirement, Don worked
part-time for McU Sports for many years. He especially loved fitting individuals with ski
boots and other gear. He was very personable and never met a stranger. Don has always
been well-loved by his friends and co-workers. He would give a stranger the shirt
off of his back without batting an eye. Don’s gentle nature and kind heart will be dearly
missed by all who knew him.
During Don’s life he enjoyed snow skiing (downhill and cross
country), hiking, reading, and staying active. He also had an immense love for all
things in nature. He developed a special interest in the Native American culture and
spirituality in the early 1970’s and enjoyed many powwows and drumming sessions with his Native
American friends. He ministered to several Native American individuals in the
Idaho State Prison system during the 1980’s and 1990’s and received a Humanitarian
award in 1998, from the Idaho Voices of Faith, for his work with the Native American
people.
Don was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in his
mid-fifties. He was able to reside at home and stay active for several years before his
condition worsened. He was admitted into Spring Creek Manor in Meridian, Idaho in 2006,
and later moved to the Spring Creek Manor on McMillan and Five Mile, in Boise,
where he resided until his passing. He was adored and spoiled by staff and other
residents at both facilities.
Don was preceded in death by his parents (Gene and Marjorie)
and his son, Phillip.
He is survived by his brother Archie (RBD) of Clarkston WA, his
four children, Lisa (Richard) Kaiser of Meridian, Don (Nicole) Willis of Eagle,
Tom (Tab) Willis of Boise, Dave (Kathy) Willis of Boise, and step-sons Egan (Quilene)
Steele of Bend, Oregon, and Jon Mullins of Boise. Don is also survived by 11
grandchildren: Rich (Dana) Kaiser, Tyler, Hailey, Delaney, Megan, Coby, Marilyn,
Mackenzie, and Charlie Willis, Taylor and Jude Mullins, and two great-grandchildren, Aly
and Logan Kaiser. Don’s tenth grandchild, Quinn, is due in June. He is also
survived by his nephew Bruce (Dayna) of Moscow and two great-nephews, Shane and Koby, as
well as former spouses Pat Willis, Deborah Hale, and Elizabeth Martin.
The family would like to thank the awesome staff at Spring
Creek Manor and Journey’s Hospice, Dr. Susan Baxter, and Comfort Keepers.
A memorial
service and celebration of Don’s life will be held on Monday, April 30th, at 11:00
a.m. at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel in Boise with a private burial taking place
in Riggins at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to
the Alzheimer’s Association, 6126 W. State Street Suite 305 Boise, Idaho 83703 in memory
of Don Willis.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald R. “Don” Willis, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 6
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
