Anniversary of Willingham Murders Nears; Family Renews Plea for Help

(Springfield, MO) -- It's almost been a year since the murder of an elderly couple in Springfield.

The family of Don and Helen Willingham is pleading for help to solve the case.

"I have no doubt it will be solved. It just takes time," says Dave Willingham. He's confident Greene County detective will arrest and charge the person who murdered his parents. "We have patience and my family has a lot of faith."

Willingham says the hardest part is knowing that someone or several people know the truth.

"That's the worst part. That's what bothers all of us in my family. That could really help us and really help the case and really help our family, and they are just not."

Willingham says perhaps the intruder didn't know what they'd taken. Don and Helen Willingham had many titles: Pastor and Wife, Mom and Dad, Sister, Brother, Grandma and Grandpa.

"He was a pastor," says Willingham. "He was a missionary first. My first eight years of life we spent in Guam."

The Willinghams helped establish Bible colleges around the world.

"They actually have a Bible college down in Honduras named after him. Willingham Bible Institute. A selfless person. He'd give anybody anything. My mom was the same way."

At the funeral, thousands sent their regrets.

"Amazing the outpouring at the funeral. I got cards and letters from all over the world."

Dave Willingham says his mom, Helen, worked diligently.

"She's just a loving person. She was an awesome cook. Amazing cook. Quietly and behind the scenes, but took care of all the details. They were awesome grandparents. All their grandkids absolutely love them to death."

"There's just no reason and that's why we need -- we'd really like someone to help," he says. "Help bring closure to our family and our lives that's been turned upside down ever since this happened."

Now one of the Willinghams' picture hangs someplace else.

"I go in their office at the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Mom and dad's picture is on their wall."

Dave Willingham says the detectives working his parents' case see their picture every day.

"That's why I have faith. I know they are going to do it."

The Greene County Sheriff's Office is holding a press conference next Wednesday on the anniversary of the Willinghams' murder.

Next Thursday, a brick will be dedicated in the Willingham's name in the Victim's Garden in PhelpsGrovePark.