Date of Birth:
Monday, December 25, 1922
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Age:
95 years old

Donald Lyall Williams

Donald Lyall Williams, 95 years, went to his special place in heaven on May 9th. Born in Dexter MN on Christmas day in 1922, Don has been a gift to many people over the years. His motto for living was “If you have done a kind act for someone, you’ve had a good day”. He exemplified integrity, work ethic, love, humor and generosity. He was so loved and was surrounded by family and friends at his own home when he passed peacefully after complications from pneumonia.

Don grew up on a farm in Dexter during the depression. He joined the Civil Corp of Engineers and sent all his money home to his family of ten children to help save the farm. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in World War II in Africa and Italy. He went to beauty school in the Twin Cities. He did Florence Franklin’s hair and it was love at first sight. They were married in 1949 and had five children; Linda Nelson, Brenda Seely, Nancy Taylor, Greg Williams and Brian Williams. He owned five beauty salons in Rochester, Minnesota over the 65 years he resided in Rochester. The largest was the Fashion-Aire Beauty Salon.

Don is survived by one sister Shirley Breer, his five children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, May 15 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday, May 14 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by American Legion Post #92.