I am sorry that I was unable to attend Don's wake as I would have liked to have gone to the give thanks to Don.   You see, one chilly Saturday evening in the fall or the spring before the April 21, 1967 tornado that devastated both of our houses in Hometown, Don saved my life.  I was maybe 8 or 9 years old.  Here's the tale:

It was early evening as I remember it. The sun was about an hour from setting. I was wearing my favorite fuzzy blue winter coat (think sickly blue shag carpeting with a zipper and a hood).  This is the same blue coat that, months later, was used to tamp out some of the autumn fires in the tall grasses in the prairie down past the Oglesby's, past the dead-end, and somewhere behind the Luckett's and Graff's house.  As a result of my fire prevention efforts, several areas of the blue shag coat took on a shiny black luster that was suggestive of the look sought by gourmet chefs across the world in their pursuit of perfectly broiled fresh vegetable crispiness.  It now then also smelled badly of acrid smoke.

Nonetheless, long before that happened, I was climbing the tree in front of our house, minding my own business. What a great climbing tree.  I decided to jump down to the ground.   It wasn't a long distance down, maybe 6 feet, maybe more.  As I jumped off, I was suddenly jerked to a stop mid-flight as the hood of my fuzzy blue jacket got caught on a branch of the tree.  By the time I figured out what had happened, the jacket was choking me, cutting off my airflow, my arms were above my head in a useless configuration, and I couldn't scream or do anything to shake me loose. Except flail my legs. 

I happen to be facing west, towards the Willman's house which was two doors over.  As I flailed in mid-flight suspension, I noticed that Don Willman was cleaning his car in the driveway which, at the time, was a customary weekend afternoon ritual that usually preceded Saturday Date Night.  I could see him but he didn't see me.  His attention was elsewhere, I presumed, getting his  car ready for that evening's activities.   My attention, however, was keenly focused upon my situation as I struggled desperately several feet above the ground.

In retrospect, I'd say that it took Don about 10 minutes to notice my plight ... but if that were true, then I wouldn't be here to tell the tale, would I now? ....  so it was probably closer to 12 seconds.  Once Don noticed me dangling from the tree, he did a double take, dropped what he was doing, and sprinted over to the tree to help me.  He grabbed my legs and lifted me up to unhook the hood from the tree branch.  Don then landed me gently onto the lawn where I suspect I collapsed, gasping for air. 

I don't remember what was said at that moment.  I am sure that I thanked Don as he sought my assurance that I was alright.  I was.    Don was a man of few words as far as I could tell since he was much older than me and we rarely crossed paths.  I don't know if he ever told anyone about what happened. Don didn't seem to be the bragging type. It may never have crossed his mind again. I had forgotten about this myself for many years. 

But I thank God and thank Don for being my Guardian Angel that day.  I trust that Don did many good deeds in service to others in his role as Police Officer in Oak Lawn.  I know that one of his good deeds has made all the difference to me.  My best to his family and friends.  May he Rest in Peace.  God Bless.

Lee Mulcrone

Our thoughts & prayers to you & your family. May God give you all the strength you need to help you through this difficult time.

I am sorry for your loss.  God will open his hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.  Psalm 145:16

Don was always soft spoken and such a kind and thoughtful man.  He will be truly missed at Inland Harbor Marina!  We had the pleasure of talking with him often and getting to know him throughout the years that he spent with us at Inland Harbor. Until we meet again....Greg and Marie Opatz

Deepest Condolences to the Willman family. Know that you have raised an exceptional son our Eric Willman and we promise we will help him get through the difficult days upcoming. God Bless you and your family.
From all of us at A&M Aviation and Clow Airport
Jolan Harvilhcuck

OBITUARY

Donald Lee Willman

October 3, 1947 – March 15, 2015

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

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