Donald B. Williams (Commo Willy), 80 years old of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on November 20,2022. Don was born in Nassawadox, Virginia on July 24, 1942. e graduated from Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia.
Don was united in marriage to Teressa Meier on December 28th, 1990, they were married 32 years. He served in the United States Army for 21 years, in Special Forces for 20 of those years. As a Green Beret Master Sergeant, Don received numerous awards and decorations which include the Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Wings, Bronze Star Medal, 3 Awards of Army Commendation Medal with V device for Valor, 3 awards of Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Bronze Palm, Ranger tab, Republic of China parachutist wings, Thai Parachutist Wings, Vietnam Parachutist Wings, Legion of Merit, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 11 Campaign Stars, SCUBA Badge, National Defense Medal, Civil Action Medal First Class, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Rifle Badge, 6 Good Conduct Medals, 3 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, NCO Professional Development Ribbon. Don served with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam as a radio operator and also as a weapons sergeant and was on two 12 man A-teams, first at Plei Me, and for several years at Dak Pek. He also served with the 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups and also was a Special Forces SCUBA instructor, and a Special Forces Ski instructor. Despite already being a Special Forces Green Beret, he successfully passed Ranger training. He was honorably discharged from the military at 43 years of age due to a gunshot wound to the thoracic spine. His subsequent paralysis and being wheelchair bound did not slow him down. Don remained self- driven, he always expected excellence from himself and those around him.
Don never gave up despite the challenges he faced in the last years of his life. Don was an avid animal lover, when choosing a new dog recently at the humane society he wanted all of them! He was compassionate and loved to laugh and enjoyed making others laugh.
Don is survived by his wife Teressa; his children Y Gol (A Gan) of Charlotte, NC, Sherry Hodgson (Sean) of Lawrence, KS, Tracy Hammond (Kris) of Rupert, Idaho, and Amerie Cavasos (Leo) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and his brother Clinton Mclain of Morriston, Florida. Don is preceded in death by his parents William Lilliston and Georgie Lou Polk Williams.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 26th, at Schmitt Funeral Home. Harold Demoret of Bethany Baptist Church will be officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm prior to the funeral service.
Burial will be at a later date in Mount Holly Cemetery in Onancock, Virginia.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Humane Society of the High Plains. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.