Richard E. Wilson

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Richard E. Wilson, 87, Nevada, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, Mo. He was born Oct. 5, 1924, in Guthrie County, Iowa, to Vernon Owen Wilson and Maude Hazel Watson Wilson.

Mr. Wilson was raised in Guthrie Center, Iowa, and graduated from high school there in 1942, where he enjoyed playing high school football. He entered the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater of War during World War II. After returning from the service, he farmed in Guthrie County, Iowa, and later was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for several years. He also had owned and operated a Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Brighton, Colo. Richard moved to Vernon County, Mo., in 1974 and lived the remainder of his life here. He worked as janitor for the Bronaugh school system, and also for the Dry Wood Township as a road grader operator. A life long goal of his was to build his own house, which he accomplished in 1993. He enjoyed traveling to numerous national and state parks throughout the United States. He was a member of the Sheldon, Mo., Methodist Church and the Sheldon Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include one son, David Wilson, Nevada; two daughters, Kristy Jackson and Kathy Wilson, both of Ozark, Mo.; six grandchildren, April Bloom, Nevada, Amber Patton, Ozark, Mo., Nick Williams, Joplin, Mo., Janie Day, Ozark, Mo., Stephanie Wilson, Springfield, Mo., and Heidi Wilson, Springfield, Mo.; several great-grandchildren; and one sister, Olive Ditmars, Guthrie Center, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Wilma Miller; and one brother, Neil Wilson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Tim O'Neil officiating. Interment will follow, with military honors, at Moore Cemetery in Nevada.

Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com