Donald Richard Williston was born on August 25, 1943 in Acushnet, Massachusetts to the late Charles and Isabelle (Hermort) Williston and went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 30th, 2015 from the Texoma Medical Center in Denison at the age of 71.
Don joined the Air Force and was stationed at Perrin Air Force Base, where he met the love of his life Carol Ann Sofey, whom he married on September 28, 1968 in Sherman. He was an engineer in the service where he learned his trade in plumbing. The family lived in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for ten years and later moved to Sherman. He later owned and managed his own business, Don's Plumbing since 1981. Don was an avid fisherman and enjoyed watching NASCAR. He loved spending time with Carol, their children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Don's passion was his work and he did that until the day before he had a bone marrow transplant on October 19, 2006. He was given a second chance at life from a very special donor, Mike of Pennsylvania. Don was also a longtime devoted Mason for many years and the Travis Masonic Lodge 117 will have Masonic rites at the conclusion of chapel services.
Don is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol of Sherman; daughters, Lisa Ann Ruffin and her husband, Darrell, Donna Marie Williston and Christine Elaine Williston; grandchildren, Gavin Micheal Mattingly, twins Reece Parker and Madison Avery Laine, Taylor Monroe, Kendal Ruffin and Morgan Ruffin; sister Rosemary Heckman; sisters-in-law, Anna Williston of Allentown, PA, and Dorothy Williston of Delaware; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles F. Williston of Allentown, PA, and Robert Williston of Delaware.
Funeral services to celebrate Don's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 3rd, at Waldo Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Josh Burton of the First Baptist Church in Pottsboro officiating. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery with Philip Barth, Kevin Barth, Brian Barth, Sean Malacara, Julio Malacara, Gavin Mattingly and Scott Marr serving as pallbearers.
Sheppard Air Force Base Honor Guard will have military rites at the cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 2nd, from 6-8 PM at Waldo Funeral Home.
The register book may be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.
Services are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.