Don was born February 6, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio to Melvin “Chubby” Willis and Frances (Sanders) Willis. He graduated from Cathedral Latin High School. On April 26, 1952, Don and Effie Adamany were married in Cleveland, Ohio. Don began his career in sales, then opened a family business of 10 retail appliance stores in Cleveland, Ohio. He also owned and operated a number of real estate properties in the area and after retirement worked as a yacht broker. He enjoyed auto racing and boating, serving as the commodore of the Catawba Island Club in 1987 and is a 24-year member of the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club.
Don is survived by his wife Effie; his children Nancy and her husband Bill Mantle, Donald and his wife Bambi (Moran) Willis, James Willis, Greg and his wife Debi (Sinatra) Willis, Connie and her husband Richard Wood, Wendy (Willis) Mahle, Bill and his wife Colleen (Rodgers) Willis, Gary and his wife Patti (Mather) Willis, Laurie and her husband Mark Padgett; and his sister Carol Willis Shood Piazza. Don and Effie have 28 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren.
He is preceded by his parents, his daughter, Linda, and his grandson, Sean Fair.
A celebration of life mass will be held at 12:45 pm on Monday, March 19 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 22094 Lyons Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33428. Rev. Eduardo (Eddie) Medina will be officiating. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall.
Friends may call on Sunday, March 18, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Babione Funeral Home, 10060 Calle Comercio Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33428 (Glades and Rt. 441). The family invites donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers, www.StJude.org.
