Dale Keirn Willson, Sr.

Dale Keirn Willson, Sr.
April 23, 1959 – February 17, 2021

Dale Keirn Willson, Sr. died Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at his home in Monroe, Louisiana. He is preceded in death by his wife, Debra Willson and his parents, Bruce and Martha Willson. He leaves behind his son, Dale Keirn Willson, Jr. and his wife, Kori and his son, Chase ¬¬¬¬Taylor Willson. He also leaves behind his brothers, Bruce Willson and his wife, Kathy (KK) and Bill Willson and his wife, Marion, along with nephews Trey, Edmund, and Gordon, and nieces Rachel and Abby.

Proudly named for his great uncle, a decorated World War Two veteran, Dale Keirn, Dale was born in Seagraves, Texas on April 23, 1959. He was the second of three sons born to Bruce and Martha. He would grow to be the tallest, of which he was very proud. He would also develop a penchant for creating small disturbances, along with his lifelong friend Jeff Letson, and enjoying their effects, hence earning the nickname, “Hassler.”

Moving with his family to Monroe, Louisiana in the summer of 1968, the Willson Family joined Parkview Baptist Church in which Dale was involved in numerous youth activities, including RA’s, Camp Tanako and Youth Basketball, where the Parkview 9th grade Basketball team made it to the RA Louisiana State Championship game, in which Dale started and his Dad coached.

He attended Sallie Humble Elementary School, Lee Junior High, Ridgedale Academy and Neville High School. While at Neville he was a proud member of Coach Billy Pea’s basketball team. Dale played basketball and earned his Varsity Letter for 3 straight years, starting at Center his Senior year. Following graduation from Neville, he enrolled at Louisiana Tech University but the call of the sea, in the form of the United States Navy, reached out to him. He enlisted and eventually achieved the rank of Petty Officer First Class serving aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise as a nuclear and electrical engineer.

He met his future wife, Debra Barkley while in the Navy, in California. They married and begat two fine sons, Dale Keirn Jr. and Chase. Just like his father, Dale devoted his life to his wife and his children raising them in the nurture of the church and coaching them in baseball. Upon separation from the Navy, Dale enrolled in Northeast Louisiana University, now ULM, earning a B.S. degree in Computer Science. He would later earn his Masters in Public Administration from the University of Indiana.

His professional career and love of his country led him to work for the government, specifically once again, the Navy, serving this time as a civilian and ultimately being promoted to Chief Administrator of all Computer Systems on the West Coast. After retirement, Dale moved to Monroe to be closer to family and friends. Joining First United Methodist Church he found a spiritual home and grew strong in the grace of his Lord Jesus Christ.

Dale’s hobbies included spending time with family and friends, watching Neville Tiger football, and driving across the United States in his Chevrolet Corvette.

Dale’s visitation will be on February 27th at the Mulhearn Funeral Home from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. Immediately following the visitation, his funeral will be held at 2:00 PM.