Donnie Clarence Willard, age 84, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 6:58 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at his home. He was born May 26, 1941, in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, the son of Claude and Merle (Laney) Willard.
Donnie grew up on a family farm in the McKinley area north of Marionville. He was a 1959 graduate of Marionville High School in Marionville, Missouri and graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration in 1963. After college Donnie began his career with JCPenney Stores. In his thirty-three years he proved himself as a talented retailer, manager, and community member.
Donnie was the youngest employee to earn a general manager position at age 35. He was awarded the JCPenney Chairman’s Award fifteen times. He began his career in Little Rock, Arkansas and went on to manage stores in Atlanta, Georgia, in Puerto Rico, Gainesville and Jacksonville, Florida. He retired at the age of fifty-five. After retirement he moved to The Villages in Florida where he lived until 2023. His last two years he resided in Aurora, Missouri to be close to his family.
On February 7, 1967, Donnie married Rilla Hill, in Georgia. Rilla was his sweet southern belle and the love of his life. Wherever the two went, they formed friends like family and brought good times. They both enjoyed travel, entertaining, and golf. Don and Rilla were married for forty-three years. She preceded him in death on February 14, 2010.
Donnie was active in service to his community. He was a Rotary member and served on the Board of Directors of the following organizations, Rotary, The Humane Society, the American Heart Association, and the United Way. He also sat on an Advisory Board for The Salvation Army.
Donnie is survived by three generations of nieces and nephews, Regina Leitle and her husband, Paul, of Aurora, Missouri, Penny Stranz and her husband, Ed, of Aurora, Missouri, Julie Fairchild and her husband, Kevin, of Aurora, Missouri, Don Willard and his wife, Lynn, of Monett, Missouri and Richard Willard and his wife, Debbie, of Aurora, Missouri; nine great-nieces and nephews; five great-great nieces and nephews, and his precious dog, Chloe.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Claude, and Merle Willard; his wife, Rilla; one brother, Wilbur Willard and his wife, Shirley, and one nephew, Michael.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will follow at the Mt. Calvery Cemetery in Aurora, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to the United Way of the Ozarks, in care of the funeral home.