Charles Francis "Woody" Wilson (1886-1964)

WILSON, HILBURN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/1/2015 at 12:20:42

From Nevada Evening Journal Monday, July 6, 1964

C. F. Wilson Dies Here Friday Night

Charles Francis "Woody" Wilson, 77, one of Nevada's senior businessmen and former mayor, died at 11:2 p. m. Friday in the Story County Hospital following two surgical operations and an illness of about a month.

Wilson was a widely known business man in Nevada where for 37 years he operated an insurance and real estate business. Active in the affairs of the community, he served for 20 years as secretary to the School Board and two terms as mayor in the early thirties. He hed various offices in the Presbyterian Church and was in the Masonic and I.O.O.F. lodges. He was a member of the Story County Shrine Club and of the Des Moines Consistory. He is a past Master of the Masonic Lodge and was a Worthy Patron of the O.E.S. For years he was treasurer of the Lions Club. He was the first president of the Golden Age Club and an active member. He was a 50 year Mason.

He retired about three years ago and did only income tax work.

He was an ardent golfer and belonged to the Senior Golf Club of Iowa. He was a charter member of the Indian Creek Country Club.

Wilson was born in Tyrone, Pa., the youngest son of Charles and Normenia Tussey Wilson. He lost his father when a small boy and moved with mother to Iowa, later graduating from the Shenandoah High School. He was forced to make his own way and helped support a widowed mother. He worked his way through Coe College, graduating in 1910. He loved sports and earned three letters while at Coe.

After finishing Coe, he served as school superintendent at Colo for two years and then for 10 years he was special agent for the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Then he began his own business in Nevada which he operated for 37 years.

He was married in 1931 to Miss Blanche Hilburn, who survives him. Children surviving of a previous marriage are: Sara Margaret Wilson of Redwood City, Calif. and one son, James Francis Wilson of Torrence, Calif. There is also one sister, Miss E. May Wilson of Plainview, Neb. Preceding him in brothers and one sister. There also survives eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday, July 7, at the Central Presbyterian Church with Pastor Hackbarth of the Lutheran Church officiating. Two vocal solos will be sung, "My God and I" and "Jesus Priceless Treasurer" by Miss Miriam Hilburn of Pueblo, Colo., accompanied by Mrs. Edith Hale.

Casket bearers will be: Keith Page, Dean Handsaker, Milo Pitcher, Bill Tipton, Jim White and Don McHose.

Mrs. Betsy Morfoot and Mrs. Ruth Nelson will assist with the flowers.

Interment will be in the Nevada Cemetery.

Members of Nevada Lions Club will meet at the church at 1:45 to attend services in a unit.