Lt. Colonel Donald Nelson Willoughby Sr.

Lt. Colonel Donald Nelson Willoughby, Sr. a loving husband, proud dad and true patriot, passed away June 25th, 2014 at the age of 69. He was a resident of Cold Springs Alabama and was born in Birmingham Nov. 13th 1944.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Rebecca Willoughby (Rye) ; son “Bud” Donald N. Willoughby Jr.; daughter-in-law Stacy Lockhart Willoughby; 3 granddaughters Madeline, Morgan, and Jenna Willoughby; 3 brothers James Marvin Willoughby, George Moye Willoughby, and Billy J. Willoughby. He was preceded in death by his father Ollie Lee Willoughby, mother Myrtle Irene Willoughby (Harding), brother Onvie, and sister Callie Ann.

Donald served our country honorably for 20 years in the Air Force piloting B-52 Bombers. He served during the height of the cold war, spent 1 tour of combat duty in Vietnam, was an instructor pilot and retired in 1989 with a rank of Lt. Colonel. He was very proud of his service to our country and would always energetically tell stories of his time in the military. During his career he was stationed at Lubbock, TX, Merced AFB CA, Minot AFB ND, Carswell AFB Fort Worth TX, Barksdale AFB Shreveport LA, Ramstein AB Germany, and McConnell AFB Wichita KS.

He is a graduate of Cold Springs High School class of 1963 and the University of Alabama. He also received an MBA from TCU. After retiring from the military he moved back to farm he was raised on in Cold Springs and worked for the State of Alabama Employment office for over 10 years. He was a member of the Cullman Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, and the Air Force Association. He was a proud member of his community always speaking highly of his friends and family.

Our nation is grateful for Donald’s service in defending our freedom.

Funeral Services will be held at Cold Springs Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday July 1st, at 2pm. He will lie-in-state at the church from 1 to 2pm.

For more information or to leave a memory at the on-line register book, go to www.mossservicefh.com