Gordon Russell Willson

Gordon Russell Willson passed away peacefully on September 23rd, 2023 in Springfield Oregon. He was born in Rapid City South Dakota on September 3rd, 1941 to Russell and Florence Willson. He graduated from the Naval Academy with a BS in engineering in 1964. He served two tours in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps, First Force Recon, where he received numerous accolades for his bravery and valor including a Silver Star, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He went on to have a distinguished military career in the United States Marine Corps , eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe, HI. He wed the love of his life, Carmen Julia Naranjo de Willson (US Army Colonel, Retired) on October 4, 1980 in Beaconsfield, England. They enjoyed an extremely loving and happy marriage for 34 years. They moved to Springfield, Oregon in 1994 where he started a construction company, Full Circle Construction, and enjoyed hiking and exploring around the state. For his 65th birthday he completed the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail with his youngest son. Gordon is survived by his sons Eric Willson and Gordon Willson-Naranjo, daughter Cherly DeSantis, grandchildren Marlie, Jessie, and Ava DeSantis and Hellena and Grant Willson, niece Deanne Suhr and sister Verlaine Stein. A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 11:00 am, Springfield Memorial Gardens, Springfield, OR.

Springfield Memorial Gardens