06/04/2026
Darrell Lloyd Willson of Edgerton Missouri passed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on June 3rd, 2026. He was born July 15th, 1953 to Lloyd and Crystal Vandora (LaMaster) Willson in Maryville, Missouri. He graduated from South Nodaway High School in 1971 and received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University in 1975. On May 17th, 1975 he was joined in marriage to Kathleen Keefhaver of Edgerton.
He began his legacy of music education in the small school district of Johnson-Brock Nebraska. After two years in Nebraska, Darrell and Kathleen returned to Missouri to make their home on a small farm south of Edgerton. At that time, he began his 33 year teaching career at West Platte School District in Weston, Missouri, directing high school and junior high vocal music, later moving to the elementary where he spent a majority of his time teaching Kindergarten through 6th grade music. This was his passion. His profound impact as a teacher and director resonated deeply with countless students and colleagues as well as the Weston community.
In 2011 after one year of retirement from West Platte Elementary, Darrell returned to the music room part time as the Rushville Elementary music teacher in the Buchanan County School District. There he continued his influence on many more young lives through music until he retired again in 2024 due to health concerns. Generations of families came through Mr. Willson’s music room doors to be shaped by his unique and spirited teaching methods as he directed choirs and put on multiple programs and musicals. Many of his summer breaks were spent earning extra money by painting houses in the Platte County area alongside good friends and his son Brice.
His deep love of God and passion for music overflowed outside the doors of the school and into the Platte County area and beyond through his service to his church, community choirs, revivals, such as the Changing Hearts Crusade, gospel singing groups with friends and family, and most notably over the last few decades as the director of the Canto Chorale. He was a member of the Barnard Christian church where he grew up and also a member of the Edgerton Christian Church where he served as an elder and music director during his nearly 50 years of service.
Darrell had a multitude of interests and hobbies that were shared with many of his family and friends that included hunting deer, turkey, and mushrooms, fishing, attending and rooting for local high school sports as well as Royals, Chiefs, and most notably the Northwest Bearcats. He enjoyed attending and watching country music concerts and Broadway style musicals and even ushered for local performances. He loved traveling the country on family road trip vacations, visiting National Parks, Branson, and over the last few years trips to his family’s Colorado house in the mountains. His love for planting and caring for trees was well known, as he named his homestead “Seven Oaks”. He also loved many a card game with family and friends, playing 10-point Pitch, Peanuts, and Thirteen. He was passionate about his country and took great interest in local and national politics. He loved sharing his musical gifts with others by performing at nursing homes, church picnics and sing-a-longs, in the Platte County Community Band and with his family. Above all he loved getting to know people and introducing them to his faith, and his funny off-the-wall character creating lifelong friendships.
He was an incredibly proud dad and grandpa never missing an opportunity to attend a sporting event, music performance, or awards ceremony. He loved bragging about his kids and grandkids to anyone who would listen. He will be dearly missed by former students, friends, co-workers, and family. Darrell is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Brice Willson (Gretchen), daughter Crystal Bronson (Blaine), sister Diane Ware, brother Danny Willson (Tonya), grandchildren Theodor, Thaddaus, Brody, and Brielle. He was preceded in death by parents Lloyd Willson and Crystal Vandora (LaMaster).
Visitation: 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 7th at the First Baptist Church of Platte City, MO.
Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 8th at First Baptist Church of Platte City, MO.
Burial: Reed Cemetery, Trimble, MO.
Donations may be made to the Barnard Christian Church or the Edgerton Christian Church.
