William F. Wilson Jr.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

William F. Wilson Jr., 80, died July 1, 2007 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, Chanute, Kan.

Wilson was born April 2, 1927 in Savonburg, Kan. to William Fred Wilson and Frances Pearl (Parsons) Wilson.

Bill grew up in the Savonburg area, attending Highland and Porterville schools before graduating from Savonburg High School in 1945.

Bill married Delores (Tippie) March 26, 1950 at Elsmore united Methodist Church. He owned and operated the Wilson Feed Store in Elsmore from 1957-1963. Bill was a supervisor for the Kansas State Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1989. Following his retirement he farmed and raised cattle. He enjoyed cooking and gardening, but his greatest joy was his family. Bill was a member of the Elsmore United Methodist Church; the Virginia Masonic Lodge, Savonburg; Scottish Rite, Fort Scott; Mirza Shrine, Pittsburg; and the Order of Eastern Star, Chanute. Bill was an active member of all of his Masonic and Shrine organizations and served many years as Elsmore mayor and on the city council.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Jeanne Otto, 1981 and his grandson, Carl William Otto.

Surviving members are Delores Wilson, Elsmore, Kan., William F. Wilson III; currently stationed in Afghanistan, son-in-law, Bill Otto (wife JoNita), LeRoy, Kan., daughters, Judith Wilson, Chanute , Terri Johnson (husband Allen), Fort Scott, Kandi Wilson, Chanute, brothers, Donald Wilson (wife Barbara), Prairie Village, Kan., James Wilson (Mary Ann), Pittburg, and Robert Wilson, Savonburg.

He was also survived by eight grandchildren, Amy Mispagel, Julie Cain, Daniel Johnson, JoVoli Clark, Samuel Johnson, Elizabeth Otto, Kourtney Wilson and Kaleigh Wilson and five great grandchildren, Casey Mispagel, Conner Mispagel, Logan Mispagel, Adriana Cain and Brody Clark.

Services will be held at Elsmore United Methodist Church, Elsmore, at 2 p.m. Sunday July 8, 2007. Bill will be buried at Elsmore Cemetery with Pastor Connie Cox presiding. Guest can visit with the family after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 344 N. Cedar, Moran, Kansas 66755. A memorial fund has been set up at the Elsmore United Methodist Church.