David Neil Willson, of Pagosa Springs, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 26, at Mercy Medical in Durango. He was born July 19, 1943, to Neil and Marjorie Willson of Palmyra, Wis. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran church in Palmyra. He graduated from Palmyra High in 1961. He was married to Sandra Adams on June 24, 1961. He learned his work ethic on the family farm. He worked at Northwest Telephone Company and as a police officer for the villages of Palmyra and Eagle. He was an avid trap shooter and took numerous awards along with his trapshooting teammates Donnie Smith, Richard Sadenwasser, Jack Mills and Russ Wickler. He also loved pheasant and deer hunting. He was a trail guide on his horse, Flame, through the Kettle Moraine. He was involved in an auto accident in March of 1975 that changed his life. In 1984, he moved to Pagosa Springs. He fell in love with the area during an FFA field trip. He loved the mountains and all they had to offer. He would take family and friends for drives around the “loop.” He lived life through his children and grandchildren and hosted many an elk hunting camp.
Dave is survived by his children: Lance and his children Garrett, Logan, Gracie and Shaylan; Dan and his children, Jennifer, Cody and Jessica; Valerie (Tink) (partner Anita Crisman); his brothers, Robert (Cheryl) and Scott; and sister Bonnie; sister-in-law Pat West (late Lyle West); nieces and nephews; and wonderful friends left behind in Colorado: Kermit Littleton, Manny and Lori Medina, just to name a few. He is preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Marjorie Willson, and his brother, Mike.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, March 4, from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service, all at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 313 Main St. Palmyra, Wis. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Palmyra.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
There is an online guestbook at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
