William J. ‘Bill’ Wilson Jr., 82, formerly of De Soto
William J. “Bill” Wilson Jr., 82, of Sebring, Fla., formerly of De Soto, died Dec. 26, 2022, at his home. Mr. Wilson was a milk delivery man in De Soto in his early working days. He also worked 30 years for General Motors, which included work at Fisher Body and at the Shell plant during the Vietnam era. After retirement, he was a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy after graduating valedictorian of his class at the academy. He was certified as a firearms instructor for the Sheriff’s Department and was certified by the NRA. He also worked as a bounty hunter for Chuck Telle Bail Bonds. He was a driver for the JC Transit and a volunteer firefighter. He was a member of American Radio League Inc. and was a CB operator known as “Wild Bill.” He was a former member of the Festus Harley Owners Group. In his early years, he raced stock cars and go-carts. He also enjoyed photography, film development, traveling with his wife in their RV and going to beaches and museums. Born March 7, 1940, in Hillsboro, he was the son of the late Gladys (Williams) Wilson-Ramsey and William J. Brill Wilson Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years: Wanda (Gore) Wilson of Sebring, Fla.; five children: Linda (Dave Rawson) Cole of Branson, Brenda (the late Russ) Ott, Terrie (Duke) Price of De Soto, Greg (Anna Blassie) Gan of Imperial and Angel (Dusty) Collins of Hillsboro; 12 grandchildren: Mike (Jamie) Cole Jr. of Festus, Josh (Athina) Ott, Ashley Cole Agers, Jeremy (Cate) Reando, Nicholas (Ashley Cordell) Price, Jordan (Kaitlyn Mcginnitey) of De Soto, Emily (Tyler) Allen, Summer Collins, Skyler Collins of Hillsboro, Natalie Blassie of Imperial, Matt (Krista) Ott and Joe (Kristie) Ott; 16 great-grandchildren: Aidan, Olivia, Wyatt and Baine Cole, Jaxson, Liam and Lyla Agers, Adrianna, Colby and Lia Ott, Trenton Hunter, Stella Price, Blane and Eve Reando, and Bella and Wyatt Allen; other family members: Joe Wilson Jr. and Hayden Wilson, both of Wentzville; and a best friend: Chris Hampton of De Soto.
He was preceded in death by two children: Patrick Wilson and Angie Reando; a sibling: Joe Wilson Sr.; a grandson: Justin Caine; and the mother of his children: Marilyn Sue (McGee) Wilson.
A celebration of life will be held later. Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Wake Up Narcolepsy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or Donate Life America.