William Donald “Don” Lillegard, age 87, passed away on May 26, 2019. Don was born in Rolfe, Iowa on September 18, 1931. He graduated from Rodman High School in 1949 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. In 1953, he married Berniece Hauschen from Emmetsburg, Iowa, and together they raised three children.
During his career in the Army, Don served 18 months in South Korea in the 50’s, and two one-year tours in Thailand and Vietnam during the Vietnam War, in 60’s. In addition, he and his family lived in several places during his military career, including: San Pedro, California, Ponce, Puerto Rico; Petersburg, Virginia; Mannheim, Germany; and Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Don retired as a First Sergeant (E-8) in 1972 after 20 years of military service and his decorations include a Bronze Star, a Vietnam Service Medal, and a Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In 1972 after retiring from the Army, Don started a second career with General Electric Inc., where he employed for 19 years as a appliance repair technician serving Atlanta and surrounding areas. He won several awards for new repair methods and ways to reduce time on repairs.
Don and his wife have lived in Hampton for past 22 years. He always enjoyed working in his yard, vegetable gardening, and fishing. Don was member of Morrow Presbyterian Church in Morrow, Georgia since 1994.
Don is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Berniece; his three children: Bryan (Tammy) Lillegard of Murfreesboro, TN; Bruce Lillegard of Raphine, VA; and Gay (Dave) Lillegard-Corley of Hampton, GA; his five grand-children: Walter Lillegard, Vincent Lillegard, Brittany Lilllegard-Cocina, Philip Lillegard and Cynthia Corley; and three great-grandchildren: Oliver Lillegard, Alexander Lillegard, and Grayson Cocina.
