Donald E. Willits

Donald Eugene Willits passed away on March 26, 2025. He was born on November 12, 1937, in McLouth, Kansas, to John and Dorothy Willits. He attended McPherson College on a football and basketball scholarship, graduating with degrees in history and government, industrial arts, and secondary education. He obtained a master of education in guidance counseling from Emporia State University. 

Don began his career in Welda, Kansas, by teaching history and government as well as coaching the football team. Upon his hiring, he discovered the football field was simply a pasture that needed measuring and prepping in order to hold games—another task to add to his responsibilities. After two years, he moved his family to Rossville, Kansas, where he worked at Rossville High School (Go Dawgs!). He started out teaching history and government along with coaching football, basketball, and, in his later years, track. Once he achieved his master’s, he became the guidance counselor, lasting until his retirement after a total of thirty-seven years.

Don was a lover of car restoration, gardening, and the outdoors and was an avid reader of WWII history and books about the American West. His prized possessions were his 1956 Ford Crown Victoria and 1957 Ford Fairlane Hardtop Retractable. He loved driving the Crown Vic to the annual Lawrence Automotive Swap Meet with his brother Jack; his brother-in-law, Bob; and his nephew Walt.

He met his wife, Delores, on the co-rec volleyball court while at college, where he swore she tripped him to get his attention. They were married on January 23, 1959, in a union that spanned sixty-six years.

Don was adored by all his grandkids, who called him “Papa.” Papa always had time to play, throw a ball, read a story, or push a swing, and he was never without ice cream. He was famous for reminding his daughters, and later his granddaughters, to “Drink your milk, Kathy.” He made sure to wave goodbye from the deck of the house he built after every visit.

He is survived by his wife, Delores; his son, Donald Eugene (Karen) Willits Jr., and three daughters, Debbie Willits, Karen (Bill) Overbey, and Sharon (Craig) Beyer; eleven grandchildren, Kevin (Alyce) Willits, Allison Willits, Rebecca (Chase) Freeborn, Kurtis Willits, Kendall Willits, Katie (JJ) Attaway, Eric (Lindsey) Overbey, Kelsey Overbey, Kayla (Joel) Clark, Nick Overbey, and Megan Beyer; sixteen great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Allan (Lorene) Willits, Kenneth Willits, and Shirley Thiry. Don is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald L. “Jack”, and his wife, Barbara Willits, and his brother-in-law, Bob Thiry.

Don will forever be remembered by his family for his loving kindness and by his students for being a constant, safe presence with an open door to all.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, April 3 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. A graveside service will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 4 at the Rossville Cemetery in Rossville, KS.