Little League® International remembers Michigan District 15 Administrator Joanne Willson. She was 74.
Mrs. Willson, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and longtime resident of Portage, Michigan, was elected as Michigan District 15 Administrator in 2014. She began her volunteer service to Little League in West Portage Little League. For more than 30 years, she dedicated time as a local league official, umpire, and member of the Michigan District 15 staff, before her election as D.A.
A graduate of St. Augustine Catholic High School and Western Michigan University, Mrs. Willson worked professionally as a restaurateur, banker, realtor, purchasing agent, healthcare administrator, and substitute teacher. Quite active in the Portage community, she was a school board member at the local and state levels and served on several committees with the Michigan Association of School Boards.
Mrs. Willson was preceded in death by her daughter, Maria; and her parents, C. Gus and Mary Skartsiaris. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, James; son, James II; and daughter, Lisa; brothers Ted and Michael; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.