A Memorial service for Wayne Wilson will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Davis Funeral Home. Military graveside services will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
Mr. Wilson passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Casper, Wyoming.
Wayne Eugene Wilson was born to Lowell Wilson and Ruby (Teets) of Jewett, Illinois on October 23, 1932. He was raised by his grandparents on the farm while his mother worked in town at a shoe factory to support the family. He attended school in a one room school for 8 years. He moved to town to live with his mother and attend Mattoon High School graduating in 1950. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad until he was called up in the Korean draft in 1953 with the United States Army. He served in Germany and France as a mechanic during his tour of duty.
When he was released from the military his stepfather asked him to drive his new pick up to Wyoming where Joe Chernick farmed. He then stayed to help farm for a short time. Wayne purchased the land he was farming and married Sue Wilson who was teaching at the Pavillion School on June 18, 1955. To this couple was born Kathi Sue and Kristi Ann and Wayne taught his 3 ladies to drive and how to run farm machinery and be productive on the farm.
When Grange was an active organization, Wayne and family held offices from local to national level. Wayne was raised as a young child for life in the Methodist Church. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion. He served on the Midvale Irrigation Board for 6 years. Wayne was a volunteer firefighter for over 20 years.
Wayne purchased a few farms and turned the land to productive livelihood. In 2004 Wayne developed a cough that he could not control. Together with his good friend, Dr. Dick Sorenson, they found the lung cancer which changed the picture of Wayne's life. He sold some land and Wayne and Sue moved to town with the unknown future. The family knew this would be very difficult for Wayne. Wayne said he was successful making land into farms and he would be successful in retirement. He was content with his life and adjusted the good and bad without complaint.
Wayne lost his daughter, Kathi, in April 2022. He is survived by his wife, Sue of Riverton; daughter, Kristi and her husband, Randy West of Ellsworth, KS. Kristi's sons, Kyle West of Lynchburg, Virginia and Ryan (Jenni) and children, Ruby, Molly and Thomas of Katy, TX; Kathi's sons, Joe (Cynthia) and her sons, Brandon and Skylar of Riverton and John (Missy) and daughters, Brenna and Cambree of Missouri Valley. There are many cousins in Illinois and surrounding states. Wayne considered Vic Albrandt and Dennis Pince great friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials given to the Missouri Valley Fire Department or the Riveron United Methodist Church in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main Street, Riverton, Wyoming 82501.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.