Larry R. Wilson, 81, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 2:45 am March 6, 2021 at Nature Trail Health Care Center in Mount Vernon from natural causes, while surrounded by his loved ones.
Larry was born June 4, 1939 in Orchardville, Illinois, in Wayne County, the beloved son of the late Mitchell Wilson and Nola (Warren) Ramsey. He was converted and baptized; a member of Garrison Temple Methodist Church in Wayne County, Illinois. Larry attended Webber Township High School, was a talented basketball team member, and graduated Valedictorian in 1957. He attended SIU and served in the Illinois Army National Guard. Larry was married to Pat (Holman) Bailey with whom he had two daughters. He was a man of many talents, cared about family and others, and later in life enjoyed the hobby of collecting all sorts of interesting things.
Larry is survived by his loving daughter, Kimberly Sue Bailey, of Arlington, Texas; brother, Jerry Dale Wilson and wife, Kaye, of Flower Mound, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cynthia Ann Wilson; and brother, Jackie Owen Wilson.
Most of Larry’s Wilson ancestors are buried at Garrison Temple Cemetery. Larry’s great-great-grandfather, William Wilson was one of the first pioneers in Jefferson County, coming there in 1851. He raised a big family, fought in the Civil War, and died there in 1890. William is buried at Bradford Cemetery, not far from Garrison Temple. One of his sons, Larry’s great-grandfather, Calvin Wilson, also fought in the Civil War and is buried at Garrison Temple Cemetery. Another son, Horace Boudinot Wilson, built Garrison Temple Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Nature Trail as well as Larry’s cousin, Danny Wiggins, and nephew, Brian Lee Wilson for their loving care during Larry’s final years.
The Wilson family is being cared for by Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon and per the family’s wishes, there will be a public live-streamed only memorial service on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Private burial of ashes will be held at Garrison Temple Cemetery in Wayne County, Illinois at a later date.
The Memorial Service will be available via Zoom. Participants may either open the Zoom app on their tablet or smart phone or on their computer or other device go to zoom.us/join and enter the Meeting ID: 828 8600 6009.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Garrison Temple Cemetery and will accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left to the family at newellfuneralhome.com.
Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.