Donald McGillivray

Donald Leroy McGillivray
Pleasant Hill

Donald Leroy McGillivray, 91, left this life on Saturday, November 7, 2015. He was born June 12, 1924 in Bowbells, ND to Donald and Ella (Petersen) McGillivray. He was the fifth of eight children. God bless his parents.

The family moved to Des Moines, IA when he was 16 years old. Don graduated from East Des Moines High School and later attended Drake University after his military career. Donald joined the US Army Air Corps during WWII.

In February of 1944, after a year of radio and gunnery training, he and his crew were flown to a base in Italy in a B-17 Flying Fortress. After many missions with his crew, Don was sent for special navigation training in June 1944, with the British Royal Air Force. When he returned to his base in Italy, he was shocked to find that his crew had been lost during a raid over the Ploesti Oil Refinery in Romania.

Don completed his 50th mission and returned home to the U.S. in time for Thanksgiving. He was always very proud of his service during WWII.

He married Isabella Fowler, the only girlfriend he ever had, on August 23, 1945. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. Bee died just short of their 65th year.

Don and Bee loved to travel and had visited Europe, Japan, China, Central America, Canada, Mexico, and 47 of the 48 Continental United States. They also enjoyed 24 years at their winter home in Port Isabel, TX.

Don spent thirty years in the building supply and building industry, in sales and as a contractor. He was actively involved with home development in Pleasant Hill, IA where they lived for 44 years. He had served on the City Council and on the Planning and Zoning Committee there.

Don was a longtime member of Elks Lodge #98 for 68 years and was a member of the VFW Post #9662.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Bee, his parents, and his siblings, Eleanor Marrow, Ramona Walden, Lois Kennard, Peggy Gaar, Shirley Pille, and his favorite brother, Hugh McGillivray.

He is survived by his foster daughter, Diane Balsley (John), granddaughter, Kate Balsley, and grandson, John W. Balsley. He is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews, sister, Jean West, brothers-in-law, Keith Gaar, Jerry Pille, and Frank West, sister-in-law, Marilyn McGillivray, and countless friends.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with funeral service to begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League, Elks Lodge #98, or to the VFW Post #9662.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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