Oakdale-Donnie Willis, 81, passed away on June 20, 2025, at Summer House of Alexandria following a long illness. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 o'clock p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale. Rev. Zach Anderson will officiate. The family will host a private inurnment at a future date.

Donnie's family will receive friends and visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale on Saturday morning, June 28, 2025, from 11 o'clock a.m. until time of service. All arrangements have been entrusted to Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale.

Donnie Willis was born Friday, August 13, 1943, in Alexandria, Louisiana. He graduated from Bolton High School. Donnie was very active in gymnastics through high school and college; his specialty was the rings. Donnie graduated with a physical education degree as well as a coaching certification from North Western in 1967. He coached and taught high school math after graduating. As a young man he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and all kind of sports. When he left teaching, he worked for LCR corporation selling plumbing supplies. In 1991 he married Dianne Melder Vidrine, they lived in Shreveport and Grand Cane and later settled in Monroe, LA where they became very involved in the church, Cheniere Drew Baptist. Donnie truly loved to cook, he took great joy out of feeding people, he cooked for the church's supper club where his pies were legendary. Donnie never spoke a harsh against anyone. He was a kind, caring, and gracious soul. He loved all his family, especially all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Donnie loved his wife Dianne so very much, he would literally do anything for her and would spoil her any chance he got. Donnie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Donnie's memory include his devoted wife, Dianne Marie Willis; one son, David Vidrine and wife, Alysia; two daughters, Renee' Willis Wise and husband, James and Stephanie Foster and husband, Shane; eight grandchildren, Austin and Mason Vidrine, Aaron Balzano, Katherine Biscontini, Andrew and Lauren Wise, and Lauren and Jered Dobbins; and eleven great grandchildren.

Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Don and Sarah Willis; and, his sister, Charlotte Scallan Willis.

In lieu of flowers family wishes donations be made to The Alzheimer's And Dementia Foundation.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com and on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.