Francis Donald Willingham

Opelousas- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Francis “Donald” Willingham on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Leo Catholic Church in Leonville. Fr. Darren Eldridge will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in the St. Leo Mausoleum in Leonville.

Donald, a resident of Leonville, entered into eternal rest on May 24, 2023, at the age of 75.  Donald served in the Marine Corps in the Vietnam War and was awarded medals for his service, National Defense Medal, Vietnam wartime medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Purple Heart Medal. He will be missed by all his family and friends.

Donald is survived by his sons, Kevin Willingham and wife, Chawntelle, and Kerry Willingham and wife, Brandy all of Leonville, grandchildren, Kate Willingham, and Hope Willingham; grand-dog, Lucy Willingham, brother, John Willingham and wife, Linda of Leonville, sisters-in-laws, Cheryl Priola (Peter), and Darlene Corona (Jodi), nephews, Justin Priola  (Stephanie), Stephan Priola (Lorena), and Christian Priola (Rachel), brother-in-law, Roy Corona.

Donald is preceded in death by his wife, Diane Lambert Willingham, his parents, Frank and Veronica Willingham.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. by Deacon Jermone Collins in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will resume on Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Ms. Sarah Fredrick and to all the staff at J. Michael Morrow.

Words of Comfort for the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.