Jack E. Wilson

Jack E. Wilson, 80, of rural Vienna, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at 4:33 p.m. at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind.

He was born on June 7, 1929, in Alton, the son of Harry D. and Dessie Wilson.

He married Deloris A. Powles in 1952 in Alton.  She preceded him in death on Aug. 14, 2009.

Survivors include his  children, Keith E. and Becky Wilson of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Vickie A. and Michael Adams of Evansville, Ind., Michael E. and Maria Wilson of Tunnel Hill and Mary B. Wilson of Vienna; 16 grandchildren, Kipp A. Wilson, Kimberly and Adam Shoemaker, Brock Ackmann, Brandy Adams, Heather and Jeremy Wharton, Keith and Lorin Wilson Jr., Christina and Bradley Peace, Jamie and Ray Simmerson, Jennifer and Allen Burrows, Shelley and Donnie Johnson, Wendy and Lou Maennche, Billy and Teresa Baker, Cindy and Jeff Vancleve, Michelle and William Martin, Brandie and Shane Layhew and Bryan Baker; 38 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Franke of Alton and Betty Yakubian of Alton; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Elizabeth Wilson; a brother, Harry Wilson; and four sisters, Anna Norman, Edith Scoggins, Dorothy Holshouser and Maxine Ufert.

He was a U.S. Army veteran. He served in occupied Japan following World War II and was a bodyguard. He was a life member of Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 in Vienna.

He was employed as a correctional officer by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  He worked at the federal penitentiary in Marion, later working in California and retiring from the federal penitentiary in Denver, Colo.

He liked driving a truck, and following his retirement from the federal prison system he worked as a truck driver. He was employed by various trucking firms, including driving for his son, Keith, as well as Green Implement in Cypess. His C.B. handle was “Smiling Jack.”

He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. During the 1960s, he was a member of a gospel quartet.

He liked fishing and camping.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 22, at 2 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. The  Rev. Jim Shipley officiated.

Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Buncombe.  Military graveside rites were conducted by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post and Illinois burial honors detail.

Memorials can be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery, c/o Owen Lee Webb, 1900 Mt. Zion Rd., Vienna, Ill. 62995.