More detail on this person: Services for Donald
MacGlashan MacWIllie, Jr will 10:30am Monday
February 1, 2016 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home
in Killeen. Burial will follow at the Central
Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 12pm. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Donald MacGlashan MacWillie, Jr, a retired
Soldier, whose post-defense department
undertakings stretched from community
volunteerism to independent writing and editing,
died on Monday, January 25th. He was 79.
LTC(R) MacWillie, the first born son of a career
Army Officer and a mother who showed and bred
Great Danes, spent much of his childhood in
England and New England attending boarding
schools. Upon graduating The Kent School in Kent,
Connecticut, he entered the Virginia Military
Institute, studying history. In 1959 he was
commissioned an Armor Officer and began a career
that would last over 30 years. Having earned the
Ranger Tab and Airborne Wings, in 1964, he
qualified as an Army Aviator, flying light
observation and cargo aircraft during his two
tours of combat in Viet Nam. In addition to his
combat tours, his distinguished career included
command of the 82 Airborne Division's only
aviation company, posting with the 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment, service as a plank-holder in the
6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) and culminated
with an assignment to the predecessor of today's
Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas.
Colonel MacWillie's military career was initially
cut short in 1975 when he learned his health would
no longer allow him to fly. With a great desire to
continue his service to our Nation, he sought
relief from mandatory medical retirement and
successfully remained on duty for four years until
his health required he be placed on the temporary
retirement rolls. He used the next several years
to recover medically and continue to campaign the
Department of Defense to allow Soldiers with his
disability to serve on active duty. In 1981, with
the help of many friends and professionals, his
efforts were rewarded as the Defense Department
allowed him to return to the Army he loved. His
determination resulted in regulatory changes,
allowing partially disabled Soldiers to continue
their military service; action that made a
difference for many of today's Wounded Warriors.
Upon his final retirement in 1989, he and his
family settled in Killeen where he earned a Master
of Science degree from the University of Central
Texas. He became actively involved in many service
and civic organizations including serving on the
Board of Directors for the Heart of Texas Federal
Credit Union, Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries,
and as Vice Chairman of the Bell County
Republican Party. He served as the President of
the Killeen Noon Rotary Club where he proudly
became a Paul Harris Fellow. In his later years he
thoroughly enjoyed his friendships and
participation in the Quiet Birdmen and the Order
of Daedalians, where he helped many young
students enter the field of aviation. Regular
Wednesday morning breakfasts with his close
friends became the energy that powered his week.
In his spare time he became a skilled genealogist.
LTC(R) MacWillie was born in New York City on
November 13, 1936 to Donald MacGlashan
MacWillie, Sr. and the Former Virginia P. Saxton.
He was the fourth generation of his family to
serve in the military.
In 1959 he married the love of his life, Judith
Elizabeth Kaetzel. In addition to his wife, he is
survived by his sister, Nancy George; two
daughters, Elizabeth Fangman (Duane) and Karen
Simmons; a son, BG(R) Donald MacWillie, III
(Sherri); and 6 grandchildren, Austin Coachman,
Evan Coachman, Christopher Irwin, Jennifer Irwin,
CPT Donald MacWillie, IV, and Melyssa-Anne
Stricklin. He was preceded in death by his
brother, Stephen MacWillie; his sister, Bonnie
Rintz, his son-in-law Collis Simmons, and his
grandson, Cody Simmons.
Honorary Pall Bearers are Jim Butler, Austin
Coachman, Evan Coachman. Jim Kilpatrick, Billy
Stephenson, and Rex Weaver.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations
be made to the American Heart Association .
The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm Sunday
January 31, 2016 at the funeral home.
The following is additional information from
George G. Van Riper
LTC (ret) Donald M. MacWillie passed away on
Monday, 25 January 2016 in Temple, Texas.
Survivors include his wife Judy, a sister Nancy
George, two daughters, Elizabeth Fangman (Duane)
and Karen Simmons, a son, retired Brigadier
General Donald MacWillie III (an Army Aviator),
and six grandchildren. One grandson, Donald
MacWillie IV is a Captain in the U.S. Army. He is
a dual rated Army Aviator stationed at Fort Hood,
Texas, continuing the MacWillie family tradition
of military service to our Nation.
LTC MacWillie was preceded in death by his
brother, COL (ret) Steven MacWillie who was also a
distinguished Army Aviator. Donald's awards and
decorations include: Legion of Merit W/1 Oak Leaf
Cluster, Bronze Star W/1 Oak Leave Cluster,
Meritorious Service Medal W/2 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Air Medal W/Numeral 13, Army Commendation
Medal W/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense
Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal W/3 Bronze
Service Stars, Army Service Medal,, Republic of
Vietnam Campaign Medal, Parachutist Badge,
Senior Army Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab/Meritorious
Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry w/palm (3rd Award).
After his final retirement in 1989 he became
actively involved in civic and service
organizations in the Killeen/Fort Hood area. He
joined the Quiet Birdmen and the Order of
Daedalians where he helped many young students
enter the aviation field. LTC (ret) MacWillie
served his community and his country very well.
He was a true family man with many friends who
will miss him. He was always thoughtful and kind
with a wonderful sense of humor. He is buried in
the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen,
Texas.