Donald Duane Willis was born November 9, 1938 in Camargo, Oklahoma. He went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 in Oklahoma City. Don was 77 years old.

On August 4, 1956, Don married his high school sweetheart, Mary, and thus began a love story that lasted for nearly 60 years.

Don received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and taught and coached briefly in Douglas and Loyal, Oklahoma, before coming to Wellston in 1964. For the next 25 years he was principal, coach, teacher, counselor, bus driver, mentor, and role model for the next three generations of Wellston school children.

His competitive fire was never more evident than when he was coaching. Whether he was clapping his hands in encouragement or slamming a towel to the floor, his players loved and respected him and he brought out the best in them.

Don was also an avid outdoorsman. He was never happier than when he was out on the lake fishing or in a deer stand hunting. He was also the consummate bargain hunter. He loved to prowl the swap meets, garage sales and thrift stores, looking for treasures.

As wonderful as Don was as a husband, and a father, he truly found his calling in life as a grandfather and great-grandfather. There was never a more loving Papa, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren experienced his unconditional love everyday of their lives. He was constantly wanting them to spend the night so he could spoil them with great food, swims in the hot tub and a little cash bonus on the way home.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Rosa and Ralph Taylor; brothers, Harold, Everett and Morris Willis; sister, Mary Ann Spake and his beloved daughter, Kimberly Rose Willis.

Survivors include wife Mary of the home; daughter, Rhonda and her husband Mark Stingley of Edmond; son, Michael and his wife, Beverly Willis of Wellston; granddaughter, Tamara and her husband Jeramie Simpson of Edmond; grandson, Eric Willis Stingley of Edmond, great-grandchildren, Grady, Toby and Annie Simpson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 25, 2016 at the Missionary Baptist Church of Wellston, with interment following at the Wellston Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.