Donald Sigurdson Willis

Background

Willis, Donald Sigurdson was born on June 16, 1917 in Astoria, Oregon, United States. Son of Arza McCellen and Anna (Sigurdson) Willis.

Education

Student, United States Naval Japanese Language School, 1943. Bachelor, University Washington, 1943. Doctor of Philosophy, University Washington, 1951.

Career

Teaching, research assistant University Washington, 1942, 46-48. Assistant professor, associate professor Oriental languages University Oregon, Eugene, 1948-1962. Professor Chinese and Japanese, chairman department Slavic, Eastern languages University Colorado, Boulder, 1962-1965, chairman department Oriental languages and literature, 1965-1977, chairman department Oriental and Slavic languages and literature, since 1977.

Also director Center East Asian Studies, 1966-1970, 72-75. Professor, head department Asian languages University Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1970-1971. Professor University Pittsburgh Semester-at-Sea, 1981.

Professor emeritus University Colorado, 1982. Consultant Asian languages New Zealand Ministry Education, 1970-1971. China tour study leader Smithsonian Institution, 1982.

Achievements

• Donald Sigurdson Willis has been listed as a noteworthy Language educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

With United States Army, 1935-1938. United States Navy, 1942-1945.

Interests

• Avocations: research on Japanese names, Chinese and Japanese writing systems, travel, music.

Connections

Married Mary Jean Kerr, December 24, 1942. Children: Carol Willis Fetterman, Richard, Randall.