Donald Alton Wester

It is with heavy hearts we share that Donald Alton Wester passed away on September 2, 2026. He was surrounded and comforted by his immediate family as they shared several days of cherished memories.

Donnie was born on September 19, 1950 in Savannah, Georgia to William and Connie Wester. After graduating from Groves High School, he pursued his passion immediately by earning a warrant officer position in the United States Army. Donnie was a successful and dedicated pilot who served for 20 years in the active army and national guard. Those who served with him would say he was incredibly intelligent, meticulous, and particular, and he possessed a strong work ethic while maintaining a fun atmosphere with his witty sense of humor. He then carried those strong work values into his next phase of life as he flew helicopters for the Chevron corporation during the latter part of and after his service.

In his hard-earned retirement, Donnie enjoyed hunting, fishing, porch sitting, relaxing with his four-legged best friends, watching his family grow, and watching Fox News with a sprinkling of the Weather Channel thrown it. Those who knew Donnie would smile and say his stubbornness was unmatched, but he had a heart so big he would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was quite proud of his daughters, guiding them into their own careers, instilling in them the value that ‘if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life’. But his daughters will most remember how he taught them what it means to love deeply, impactfully, and unwaveringly.

Donnie will be most remembered for how he displayed this great love to his wife Lyn, a love so perfect that you could write a book about it. From the first time they met on what they would both describe as “the only good blind date ever,” to his last moments at home, Donnie’s demeanor visibly changed in Lyn’s presence. From that blind date that created love at first sight, to a wedding six months later, and a decades long Shoney’s hot fudge cake tradition, Donnie cherished and missed Lyn in a way that is usually only captured in the greatest love stories or movies. Whether he was away for army training or flying for Chevron, or Lyn was helping with grandchildren, Donnie longed for the very second he could see his beautiful bride again. It was in Lyn that Donnie found his passion and what he truly loved, and it is that love that he will be most remembered for.

Donnie is survived by his wife Lyn Wester, daughters Alicia Russo (Bill) and Ashley Butts (Doug), grandchildren Anna Robison, Tyler Robison, Jacob Butts, Lillian Butts, Caleb Butts, and Weston Russo, and many more loving extended family members. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents William and Connie, brother Morel Wester, sister-in-law Mildred Wester, son Donnie Winover, and grandson Parker Robison.

Per Donnie’s wishes, there will not be a service or memorial ceremony as Lyn would like to keep this time of remembrance intimate with immediate family only. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St Jude Foundation www.stjude.org or The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention www.supporting.afsp.org .