Donald Willett

Madison - Donald Nicol Willett, age 93, died Friday, October 19, 2012 in Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Willett, born May 28, 1919, in Kernville City, California, was the third of six sons of the Reverend Arthur and Hazel (Nicol) Willett. Being the son of a Methodist minister, as a youth Mr. Willett lived in many places in the state of Wisconsin. He graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1937 and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he was awarded a PhB in Chemistry.

From 1943-45, as a member of the Manhattan District in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Mr. Willett participated in work essential to the production of the atomic bomb thereby contributing to the successful conclusion of WW II. On August 6, 1945, he was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation of Effective Service by Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War of The United States of America.

In 1946, Mr. Willett commenced work on a joint project of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and University of Wisconsin School of Agriculture in the Department of Biochemistry. For 17 years, Mr. Willett worked in the UW Biochemistry Building until he became Director of the Laboratory Services and Analytical Testing Department for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture at the then newly built facility on University Avenue. During his professional career, Mr. Willett was a member of many national and international chemical societies and organizations, including a member of the State of Wisconsin Controlled Substance Board.

In 1945 he married Norma Felland from Mauston, Wisconsin. They had three children, Stephen Donald, Nancy Jean, and Joan Elizabeth. Norma Willett died in 1979 at the age of 64. In 1982, Mr. Willett married Verna Madigan after the death of her husband. Verna Willett died in June 2001.

Mr. Willett is survived by his son, Stephen (Mary) Willett of Phillips, WI; daughters, Nancy Willett (Ted Galdi) of Mason, WI and Joan (Terry) Brozick of Pittsburgh, PA; step-daughter, Kathy (Michael) Digman of Madison; a brother, Bruce (Phyllis), of Eau Claire, WI; grand-children Bryce and Erika Willett, and Erin Digman; a great-grandson, Logan McLaughlin; many nieces and nephews; and his companion and good friend, Gerry Crawford.

Music has been an important part of Mr. Willett's life. He was a member of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band as a clarinetist during his college days and, later, in his sixties, the New Horizons Seniors Band and the Zor Shrine band unit.

He was a member of: Phillips Masonic Lodge #225 F. & A.M., Madison Valley of Scottish Rite, and Zor Shrine. He was also a member of Elks Lodge 410 of Madison. A life-long, active sports enthusiast, Mr. Willett was a knowledgeable, dedicated fan of all the Badger athletic teams, the Packers, and high school basketball programs across the state. He greatly enjoyed playing rounds of golf with friends and family members long into his senior years. After retirement, he earned his private pilot's license and was a member of EAA for many years.

Mr. Willett most enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Lake Nebagamon - and later years the family cabin on Lake Holcombe. To the end, he provided his thoughtful philosophical, political, and historical perspectives to his family and friends.

Memorial services will be held on November 10, 2012, at TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1123 Vilas Avenue, Madison, with visitation at 3:30 pm, service at 4:30 pm, and lunch following in the church basement.

Inurnation will be private at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Willett requested that any memorials be directed to Zor Shrine in Madison.