Donald Williamson, 74, of Rapid City, passed away in the loving company of family and friends on December 28, 2016, at Hospice House of the Hills after a long battle with cancer.

William Donald Williamson was born in Sturgis, SD on February 21, 1942, to Marjorie (Holtry) and Bill Williamson, Don grew up on the family farm in Vale. Don was an all-around athlete, lettering in basketball, football, track, and wrestling at Sturgis High School.

Don's love of flying began early when he was given a ride in a J-3 Cub as a boy. His career as a pilot included flying tankers fighting Alaskan wildfires and aerial wildlife surveys in Wyoming. He was also an excellent mechanic who worked on many different airplanes.

After retirement, flying and working on planes continued to be a joy that he shared with many friends. Time outside of the airplane hangar was often spent enjoying the family cabin in the Black Hills.

Don is survived by his daughter, Heidi Zangara (Rob), of Chapel Hill, NC; his sisters, Sharon Williamson of Warwick, NY, and Lynne Stanley of Spearfish, SD; and his grandsons, Dean and Theo, who enjoyed fishing at the cabin with Grandpa Don. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and his sister, Dianne Hildebrand of Costa Mesa, CA.

A remembrance and celebration of Don's life will be held in the Black Hills this summer.