Obituaries
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Raymon Eugene “Willie” Wilson passed away peacefully at his home
after a lengthy illness at 9:40 AM on May 29, 2010. He was born on
January 3, 1935 to Opal Norris Wilson and Raymon Wilson in Stippville,
Kansas. He attended Columbus Schools graduating from Columbus High
School in 1953. Willie enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the
USS Mispillion until honorably discharged in August 1957.
He married Beverly Leroy on September 22, 1957 at the Scammon
Presbyterian Church. After their wedding, they made their home in Girard
where he worked as the meat market manager at Keith’s IGA for over 21
years. He was one of the original co-owners of J & W Poultry in Girard. In
1978 he accepted a position as a meat specialist for Fleming Foods of
Joplin, MO until retirement. After retirement, he worked part-time at
Crawford County Mental Health in Pittsburg until January 2007.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Girard, serving as
a Trustee and a member of the American Legion Post of Girard. Past
memberships include the Masonic Lodge of Girard, Scottish Rite Chapter
of Ft. Scott, and the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg.
Up until a few years ago, Willie could be seen “running the chains” at
Girard High School home football games which was an activity he
enjoyed for over 30 years. He also served as a commissioner for the City
of Girard for a number of years and was active in the Girard Little
League baseball program.
Willie was an avid KU basketball fan, being a season ticket holder for
many years. He traveled anywhere from Chicago to San Antonio to
support the Jayhawks. He most enjoyed spending time at the family
cabin at Farlington Lake and watching his grandchildren participate in
their activities from twirling, music, swimming, and all sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home, daughter Joeen Burns
and her husband George Burns, and son Scott Wilson and his wife Beth
Wilson, all of Girard. Grandchildren include Adam and Heidi Burns and
Maria, Eric, and Seth Wilson. He is survived by three sisters Dorothy
Kennedy of Sedgwick KS, Betty Bookwalter of Santa Fe NM, and Thelma
Daniels of Joplin MO as well as an aunt Mauona Wilson of West Mineral
KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be 10am Wednesday June 2, 2010 at the First
Presbyterian Church in Girard, KS with Pastor Susan Rosenbaum
officiating. Burial will follow at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, KS.
Family will receive friends from 7-8pm Tuesday June 1, 2010 at the Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Friends may call after 11am on
Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family ask expressions of sympathy be in
the form of memorials to the Mary Leroy Scholarship Fund or the Via
Christi Care Van. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. E-mail
condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are by
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
after a lengthy illness at 9:40 AM on May 29, 2010. He was born on
January 3, 1935 to Opal Norris Wilson and Raymon Wilson in Stippville,
Kansas. He attended Columbus Schools graduating from Columbus High
School in 1953. Willie enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the
USS Mispillion until honorably discharged in August 1957.
He married Beverly Leroy on September 22, 1957 at the Scammon
Presbyterian Church. After their wedding, they made their home in Girard
where he worked as the meat market manager at Keith’s IGA for over 21
years. He was one of the original co-owners of J & W Poultry in Girard. In
1978 he accepted a position as a meat specialist for Fleming Foods of
Joplin, MO until retirement. After retirement, he worked part-time at
Crawford County Mental Health in Pittsburg until January 2007.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Girard, serving as
a Trustee and a member of the American Legion Post of Girard. Past
memberships include the Masonic Lodge of Girard, Scottish Rite Chapter
of Ft. Scott, and the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg.
Up until a few years ago, Willie could be seen “running the chains” at
Girard High School home football games which was an activity he
enjoyed for over 30 years. He also served as a commissioner for the City
of Girard for a number of years and was active in the Girard Little
League baseball program.
Willie was an avid KU basketball fan, being a season ticket holder for
many years. He traveled anywhere from Chicago to San Antonio to
support the Jayhawks. He most enjoyed spending time at the family
cabin at Farlington Lake and watching his grandchildren participate in
their activities from twirling, music, swimming, and all sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home, daughter Joeen Burns
and her husband George Burns, and son Scott Wilson and his wife Beth
Wilson, all of Girard. Grandchildren include Adam and Heidi Burns and
Maria, Eric, and Seth Wilson. He is survived by three sisters Dorothy
Kennedy of Sedgwick KS, Betty Bookwalter of Santa Fe NM, and Thelma
Daniels of Joplin MO as well as an aunt Mauona Wilson of West Mineral
KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be 10am Wednesday June 2, 2010 at the First
Presbyterian Church in Girard, KS with Pastor Susan Rosenbaum
officiating. Burial will follow at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, KS.
Family will receive friends from 7-8pm Tuesday June 1, 2010 at the Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Friends may call after 11am on
Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family ask expressions of sympathy be in
the form of memorials to the Mary Leroy Scholarship Fund or the Via
Christi Care Van. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. E-mail
condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are by
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
© Bath-Naylor Inc. 2010
