WILSON, William J. 1888-1948

WILSON, WELLS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/28/2016 at 17:45:34

Death Sudden For W. J. Wilson At The Hospital

End Comes Without Warning Wednesday Evening; Had Been In Business In Grundy Center 35 Yrs.

William J. Wilson, one of the oldest of Grundy Center's business men, died at the Allen Memorial hospital in Waterloo about six o'clock on the evening of November 24th. He was sitting up in his bed at the hospital reading a newspaper when death came without a moment's warning.

His health had been failing somewhat the past two years but he looked after his business daily. Tuesday afternoon he complained about not feeling well and he went home about four o'clock. He was taken to the hospital during the night. Doctors who attended him did not regard his case as critical and they expected that after a few days rest he would be able to return home. He was 60 years old.

Was in Business in Grundy Center 35 Years
Mr. Wilson resided in Grundy county all his life. 35 years ago he became interested in the poultry and produce business in Grundy Center. During the first few years he had a partner associated with him. Later he bought out his partner's interests and carried on the business himself under the name of the Wilson Produce Company. The lean years for farmers left it hard going for the produce men but he carried his business through the depression and the past ten years the business expanded rapidly. Last year he completed the erection of a large new building in which to carry on the business of the Wilson Produce Company.

Daughter Killed Two Years Ago
Two years before his death, Mr. Wilson's daughter, Marjorie Elaine Peterson, was killed in an automobile collision near Cedar Falls. His wife died six years ago on November 25th.

Was Born on Farm
Mr. Wilson was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Wilson. He was born on a farm in Lincoln township, Grundy county, August 29, 1888. When he was six months old his parents moved to Grundy Center and William spent the remainder of his life here. He was married to Margie Wells on August 29, 1910.

Surviving are one son, William, a student at the State University, and two daughters. The daughters are Mrs. Arthur P. Smith, Lancaster, Wisc., and Mrs. Harm Kruger, Grundy Center. There are four grandchildren.

Funeral Services Saturday
Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon at the Coffman funeral home. Burial was in the Grundy Center cemetery. Rev. Merton Green, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the funeral services.

As a mark of respect to Mr. Wilson and because of his many years in business here, places of business in Grundy Center were closed during the funeral service.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 2 December 1948, pg 1, 12