William Don Grisham

William Don Grisham, known to all as Don Grisham, 85, went peacefully to be with his Lord Jesus Christ at 8:04 am on Saturday, March 31, 2018. He was born March 8, 1933 at home in Marion to Harvey Newton and Myrtle May (Miller) Grisham and weighed in at over 10 pounds. Don married Carlyne Mae Crain on June 5, 1956 in Hernando, Mississippi and together they shared 53 years of marriage until her death on October 31, 2009. Don lived in Marion his entire life where he attended Third Baptist Church. He enjoyed singing and was part of a barber shop quartet in the 50’s. Don enlisted in the Air Force ROTC after high school and served through 1959. He went to college at SIU-C where he carpooled with Sammy DeFrank and brothers Warren and Steve Douglas. He graduated with an Education degree and was hired by Marion Unit 2. He first taught 5^th grade at McKinley School, then P.E. followed by Geography at MJHS. While working on his master’s program he was nominated for the Rhodes Scholarship. Don is remembered by many of his students as one of their favorite teachers. Don was actively involved in coaching baseball, boys’ basketball, and girls’ basketball in both recreational leagues in Marion as well as at MJHS. His most memorable team lost in a buzzer beater shot for the state title. Don also managed the Marion swimming pool and park concession stands for several years during the 1970’s. After retiring from teaching, he ran for the Marion Unit 2 school board. He tied Jim Connolly in the election and won by a coin toss. He served one term and was proud of the new Lincoln School that was constructed during that time. Don and Carlyne loved traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Don was an avid fisherman and hunter. He spent many hours hunting quail, rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional deer with both his family and friends. He loved to skitter fish for bass at Horseshoe Lake with his friend Floyd Strobel and especially his son, Randy. He also enjoyed marathon fishing trips on the Ohio River, its tributaries, and Kentucky Lake for crappie and bluegill with friends Boogie Goodman and Steve Smith. Don loved having fish fries and sharing his catches with friends and family. Don is survived by his daughter Donna and her husband Jeff Parks of Marion, IL; 2 sons who reside in Nashville; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carlyne Grisham; two brothers, Hartley Grisham and Dean Grisham; and sisters, Ruth Dunn and Helen Dunn. Private services will be held. Memorials may be made to the VA Community Living Center, mailed in care of Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.