Donald MacGlashan MacWillie Jr.

Services for Donald MacGlashan MacWIllie, Jr will 10:30am Monday February 1, 2016 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. Burial will follow at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 12pm.

Donald MacGlashan MacWillie, Jr, a retired Soldier, whose post-defense department undertakings stretched from community volunteerism to independent writing and editing, died on Monday, January 25th. He was 79.

LTC(R) MacWillie, the first born son of a career Army Officer and a mother who showed and bred Great Danes, spent much of his childhood in England and New England attending boarding schools. Upon graduating The Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, he entered the Virginia Military Institute, studying history. In 1959 he was commissioned an Armor Officer and began a career that would last over 30 years. Having earned the Ranger Tab and Airborne Wings, in 1964, he qualified as an Army Aviator, flying light observation and cargo aircraft during his two tours of combat in Viet Nam. In addition to his combat tours, his distinguished career included command of the 82 Airborne Division’s only aviation company, posting with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, service as a plank-holder in the 6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) and culminated with an assignment to the predecessor of today’s Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas.

Colonel MacWillie’s military career was initially cut short in 1975 when he learned his health would no longer allow him to fly. With a great desire to continue his service to our Nation, he sought relief from mandatory medical retirement and successfully remained on duty for four years until his health required he be placed on the temporary retirement rolls. He used the next several years to recover medically and continue to campaign the Department of Defense to allow Soldiers with his disability to serve on active duty. In 1981, with the help of many friends and professionals, his efforts were rewarded as the Defense Department allowed him to return to the Army he loved. His determination resulted in regulatory changes, allowing partially disabled Soldiers to continue their military service; action that made a difference for many of today’s Wounded Warriors.

Upon his final retirement in 1989, he and his family settled in Killeen where he earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Central Texas. He became actively involved in many service and civic organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for the Heart of Texas Federal Credit Union, Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries, and as Vice Chairman of the Bell County Republican Party. He served as the President of the Killeen Noon Rotary Club where he proudly became a Paul Harris Fellow. In his later years he thoroughly enjoyed his friendships and participation in the Quiet Birdmen and the Order of Daedalians, where he helped many young students enter the field of aviation. Regular Wednesday morning breakfasts with his close friends became the energy that powered his week. In his spare time he became a skilled genealogist.

LTC(R) MacWillie was born in New York City on November 13, 1936 to Donald MacGlashan MacWillie, Sr. and the Former Virginia P. Saxton. He was the fourth generation of his family to serve in the military.

In 1959 he married the love of his life, Judith Elizabeth Kaetzel. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Nancy George; two daughters, Elizabeth Fangman (Duane) and Karen Simmons; a son, BG(R) Donald MacWillie, III (Sherri); and 6 grandchildren, Austin Coachman, Evan Coachman, Christopher Irwin, Jennifer Irwin, CPT Donald MacWillie, IV, and Melyssa-Anne Stricklin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen MacWillie; his sister, Bonnie Rintz, his son-in-law Collis Simmons, and his grandson, Cody Simmons.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Jim Butler, Austin Coachman, Evan Coachman. Jim Kilpatrick, Billy Stephenson, and Rex Weaver.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association.

The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm Sunday January 31, 2016 at the funeral home.