Donald Edwin Willetts

Donald Edwin Willetts, 83, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina, following a courageous battle with leukemia and lymphoma. He was surrounded by the love of his family during his final days.

Don was born on December 29, 1942, in Rochelle, Illinois, to the late Allen Booth Willetts and Alice Rose (Lazier) Willetts. Growing up in Rochelle, he developed a lifelong passion for learning and engineering. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a member of Triangle fraternity and earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Ceramic Engineering. A talented vocalist, he also sang in the Varsity Men’s Glee Club, and his time in Champaign-Urbana sparked a fervent, lifelong love for Fighting Illini sports.

It was during his university years that Don met the love of his life, Sandra Claire Kendall, on a trip to the 1964 Rose Bowl (still today the most recent Illini Rose Bowl victory). The college sweethearts were married on June 19, 1965, in Champaign, embarking on a beautiful 61-year journey of marriage, partnership, and family.

Don’s distinguished professional career began at Owens-Corning Fiberglas, where he dedicated many years of service. His work took his growing family across Ohio, living in Granville (1965–1972) and Sylvania (1972–1995). Later in his career, Don channeled his technical expertise into entrepreneurship, launching a successful independent consulting business. He became a highly regarded specialist in implementing project management systems for global organizations. In 1995, Don and Sandra relocated to Westerville, Ohio, where they resided until 2022. They enjoyed their retirement years splitting time between Bradenton, Florida, and Apex, North Carolina.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Don was a traveler at heart. He and Sandra loved exploring the world together, capturing memories across the globe. Yet, no matter how far he traveled, his greatest joy was always found closer to home, spending time with his children and grandchildren. Those who knew him will fondly remember his gentle patience, his unfailing kindness, and the warmth of his deep, infectious laugh. He was a man of sharp wit and sharp mind, dedicated to his career but defined by his quiet, steady devotion to his family.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra (Kendall) Willetts; his son, Kent (Aimee) Willetts of The Woodlands, Texas; his daughter, Amy (Greg) Denning of Apex, North Carolina; and his cherished grandchildren, Aaron, Katherine, and Jack Willetts, and Evan Denning. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Alice Willetts.

Memorial services are currently being determined by the family and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Don's memory to Blood Cancer United.