Donald Wayne Willson

Donald Wayne Willson, age 80, of LaPorte, Indiana, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born on June 30, 1946, in LaPorte, Indiana, to the late Delbert Charles Willson and Eva Lorraine (Bush) Williamson. He was a 1964 graduate of Indiana Academy in Cicero, Indiana, and went on to attend Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

For more than 56 years, Don owned and operated Willson’s Green Valley Plants, building a life and career around one of his greatest passions - the outdoors. A talented landscape architect, Don had an extraordinary appreciation for trees and the natural world. He was a longtime member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and through his work, he helped shape countless landscapes throughout the area. Of all the places he could be, however, Don was happiest in the woods, surrounded by trees. He loved his tractors nearly as much, and few things brought him greater contentment than a day spent outdoors among the things he loved.

Don was a longtime member of the LaPorte Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was also a member of the LaPorte Lions Club and Ducks Unlimited. He valued friendship and camaraderie and especially enjoyed spending time with his friends at Kindig Hemi Auto & Towing or sharing a meal and conversation at “Archie’s” in LaPorte. Don also enjoyed playing pool and proudly considered himself something of a “pool shark.”

Anyone who knew Don knew that he was truly one of a kind. He possessed a wonderfully unique and quirky personality, a quick wit, and an endless supply of sayings that his family affectionately came to know as “Don-isms” or “Willson-isms.” His approach to life could often be summed up with, “If it is to be, it’s up to me!” or “Short-term pain for long-term gain.” When there was work to be done, his philosophy was simple: “Let’s get in and get out.”

Then there was Don’s humorous observation about the world around him: “People are crazy. I feel as if there are only two sane people…and I don’t really know about you!” But perhaps the saying his family heard most often came whenever someone was heading out the door. Don would send them on their way with his own version of a loving warning: “Watch out for idiots! They are everywhere!” Those words, along with so many other “Don-isms,” will undoubtedly continue to be repeated with smiles and laughter for generations to come.

At home, Don could often be found watching Fox News or an episode of Gunsmoke. As a younger man, he had aspirations of becoming a cowboy, and a little of that cowboy spirit seemed to remain with him throughout his life. He also enjoyed his “Rummy Dummies,” and when it was time to pour one, everyone nearby knew it because Don would cheerfully announce, “It’s Howdy Doody time!” These little traditions and unmistakably Don moments made life around him more colorful, entertaining, and memorable.

Behind Don’s humor, determination, and strong personality was a man deeply connected to the people and places that made up his life. He worked hard, built a business that endured for more than half a century, treasured his friendships, and found peace among the trees. Whether he was working with plants, driving a tractor, shooting pool, visiting with friends, offering one of his famous pieces of advice, or simply enjoying the woods, Don lived life unmistakably on his own terms.

Don is survived by his children, Missy Willson-Woodham (Rodney) and Eric Willson (Lisa); eleven grandchildren, Madeline Diedrich, Benjamin Woodham, John Woodham, Josephine Woodham, Raymond Woodham, Addison Woodham, Hunter Willson, Eric Willson, Jr., Julian Willson, Colin Nichols, and Mary Jane Nichols; twin brothers, Delbert Willson (Diane) and Darryl Willson (Karen); brother-in-law, Doug Hilliard; his lifelong friend and companion, Katherine Love; and his best friend and right-hand man, Isaac Garcia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Debbie Hilliard.

A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Don will be laid to rest at Rolling Prairie Cemetery in a private family service.

Don leaves behind more than the landscapes he helped create or the business he devoted more than five decades building. He leaves behind a family who knew his unmistakable sense of humor, friends who valued his loyalty and companionship, countless stories that will be told again and again, and a lifetime of “Don-isms” that will continue to bring laughter whenever they are repeated. Perhaps the most fitting way to remember Don is to picture him where he was happiest…out in the woods, surrounded by towering trees, a tractor somewhere nearby, enjoying the beauty of the world around him and doing things exactly his way.