Terry K. Willson

Terry Keys Willson

It is with incredible sadness that the family of Terry Willson announce that he passed away on April 6, 2025, just 4 days after turning 88 years old.

He is survived by his loving wife; Velma Willson, his children; Shannon Willson and Michael Willson, his granddaughter; Chanel Bevell and her children Stella, Theia and Isla. His stepsons, Lyle, Steven and Sean McCollam are also grieving this loss. Other family members and friends are too numerous to be listed, but have all been notified. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Willson, first wife, Ava Diane Garrett, his youngest daughter, Taylor De La Rosa, and his younger brother, Kent.

Terry was definitely a unique and complicated individual. He had very strong political beliefs and his most fervent wish was for Trump to be convicted and sent to prison. He had a passion for football, used to be an avid golfer - prior to a stroke he suffered in 1997. He never lost his passion for fast cars and continued to race other cars until he could no longer drive. His other interests and loves include his family, his dogs (Snoopy and Sasha), craft beer, the desert, investing in the stock market, reading, the desert landscape and computer communications. He also had a wicked sense of humor and was incredibly smart.

Terry was born in Denver, Colorado in 1937. He married his first wife in 1956 and had three children. He worked in aerospace for multiple companies, as is generally the case with this industry. He lived in Colorado, Utah, California and Arizona. He married his second wife, Velma McCollam in 1993 and they both retired and thrived in Tucson. Vel was his constant companion and at his side when he left this world. Terry was extremely close to his son, daughter and granddaughter and they were all basically his best friends. His stepson, Lyle McCollam, also became a very important part of his life in his later years.