William Wilker 1869-1970

WILKER, FAWTHROP, JOHNSON, RILEY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/6/2023 at 07:14:37

22 October 1970 - The Anamosa Eureka

WYOMING - William Wilker, 101, died Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Branson hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Funeral services for Mr. Wilker, a former resident of Wyoming, were held at the Wyoming Methodist church on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 1:30 p.m. Rev. Lyle Meester was the clergyman. Burial was in the Wyoming cemetery. Masonic services were held at the Hayden Funeral home in Wyoming on Monday evening.

He was born Jan. 29, 1869, in Tavistock, Canada, son of Leonard and Christine Wilker. He attended school in Tavistock and was a member of the Baptist church. He was married to Minnie Aneata Fawthrop in Hespeer, Ontario in 1890, and in late 1892, the young couple moved to Wyoming, Iowa where they made their permanent home. Mr. Wilker became a naturalized citizen in1901. He established the Wilker Hardware store in 1906 and carried on business there for more than 30 years.

Mrs. Wilker preceded him in death October of 1945. Mr. Wilker lived alone in his home in Wyoming until his health began to fail, and he went to Canada to live near his eldest daughter.

During his lifetime, he served Wyoming on the town council, the school board, and the cemetery association. He was a member as a 32nd degree Mason of the Consistory in Clinton, Iowa. He was also a member of the Wyoming Methodist church.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. E. E. (Marguerite) Johnson, 10 Baytree Crescent, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada and Mrs. Edward (Mary Ann) Riley, 330 Manchester Avenue, Campbell, Calif.; five grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and three children.