Wm. Lewis Wilson, 79, Meta, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics in Columbia.
He was born March 23, 1940, to Howard and Oma Hester (Vaughan) Wilson, in Maries County.
He was united in marriage to Sharon Lee Baldwin, July 4, 1958, at Wheeler Church in rural Maries County.
Lewis was a farmhand in his younger years and worked at Brown Shoe Company during his summers between school terms. He was a graduate of Vienna High School and attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City. While in college, he worked as an orderly at Still Hospital, Lee Shoe Store and Thorpe Gordon Funeral Home. He later worked at the Chrysler plant in St. Louis for several years, started Wilson’s Salvage Yard in 1981 and retired from Security Bank in Waynesville in 2001 after 33 years of service. He served on the Red Cemetery Board.
Lewis cut and built his log home in 1981 with the help of friends. He was a cattle farmer and cherished his John Deere tractor. He enjoyed travelling, with Colorado being his favorite destination. He also enjoyed quail hunting with his bird dogs.
He was preceded in death by parents, Howard and Oma; brother, Lavern Wilson; and great-grandson, Dawson Davis.
He is survived by wife, Sharon; children, Toni Davis and Darrell of Brinktown, Tami Wilson of Meta and Mitchel Wilson and Susan of Iberia; sisters-in-law, Barbara Williams and JoAnn Wilson; grandchildren, Darrick Davis and Justa, Kristina Miller and Chris, Bryan Wilson and Krystal, Ashley Wilson and Abbi and Darren Davis; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a memorial service following, all at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia with Rev. Bob Hamm officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Red Cemetery in Maries County. Memorial contributions suggested to Red Cemetery.
