Dewitt Obits

Joseph L. Wilson of Clinton

Joseph L. Wilson, 93, Clinton, died at 5:15 a.m. Monday (March 18, 2013) at his home.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with the Rev. Benjamin Keller officiating. Interment will be at Oak Park Cemetery, Clinton, with military honors. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Clinton Country Club Junior Golf Program, Clinton YMCA or Clinton Presbyterian Church.

He was born June 22, 1919, in Merna, a son of Channing Wilson and Mary Alice Marshall. He married Lois VanDyke  on Feb. 17, 1938, in Bloomington. She died Jan. 23, 2009.

He is survived by two sons, David (Jane) Wilson, Kingsland, Ga., and Steve (Karol) Wilson, Clinton; six grandchildren, Jim (Tonya) Wilson, Hartville, Mo.; Kristine (Scott) Stamp, Reed Springs, Mo.; Brody Wilson, Clinton; Brock Wilson, Clinton; Hunter Austin, Springfield, Mo.; and Amanda DeGuair, Kona, Hawaii; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Margaret Hess.

He was a member of Clinton Presbyterian Church  and a veteran of World War II.

After the war, Joe started working at the Shell gas station, which he owned and operated. He later opened Wilson’s Chrysler-Jeep in Clinton in 1953, which is celebrating its 60th year of business. Joe never retired.

He was a member of Clinton Country Club, Clinton Masonic Lodge, Clinton Elks Lodge and the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Joe was an avid golfer until 1992. He loved playing poker every Thursday night with his poker buddies, was a Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed reading.

Joe especially loved his family and spending time with them. His grandchildren lit up his life. 

Joe was the 2011 grand marshal of the Clinton Christmas Parade.

The family would like to send a special thank-you to Joe’s home helper, Linda Moore.

Condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com.