Daniel William Wilson, 93
Daniel “Dan” William Wilson, son of the late Christopher E. and Hattie (James) Wilson, was born on Nov. 11, 1918 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and departed this life on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 at his home in Vanzant, Mo., following a short illness at 93 years of age.
Daniel grew up in Iowa, and in later years the family moved to Farragut, Iowa where he graduated from high school and farmed.
He was united in marriage to LaVeta Poor on June 26, 1941 in Rockport, Mo. They moved to San Ysidro, Calif., where he was drafted into the United States Army. He served his country for four years where he fought in the Battles of South Pacific Theatre, and was honorably discharged in 1945.
Following his discharge, they moved to Imperial Beach, Calif., where they purchased land and built their first home. Five children were born to this union.
During this time, in addition to working for North Island Navel Air Station, Dan trained and raced thoroughbred horses. This was his passion and hobby.
In 1960, Dan and LaVeta moved their family to a farm in Vanzant, Mo., in Douglas County. Besides farming, Dan worked doing masonry and carpenter jobs.
He enjoyed being outdoors tending to his gardens each year and doing his farming chores.
Dan was a loving and kind husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, neighbor and friend. He truly loved his family very much and enjoyed spending time with them as often as possible.
He was a longtime member of the Vanzant Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Louise Wilson, Viola Deirling, and Jane Johnston; and by two grandchildren: Jennifer Lee Wilson and Wesley Ray Cauldwell.
He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, LaVeta Wilson, of their home; two sons, Gary Wilson and his wife, Mary Beth, of Riverside, Calif., and Chris Wilson and his wife, Evelyn, of Vanzant, Mo.; three daughters, Carol Curtis and her husband, Charles, of Ava, Mo., Daneta Hines and her husband, Les, of Elk Creek, Mo., and Catherine Love and her husband, Lance, of Springfield, Mo.; one brother: Dewey Wilson and his wife, Illa, of Bend, Ore.; nine grandchildren, Craig Curtis, Cammie Curtis, Carrie Wilson, Daniel Wayne Cauldwell, Kimberly (Cauldwell) Roberts, Jeff Cauldwell and his wife, Amanda, Kit Wilson and his wife, Laurel, Harley Love, and Austen Love; six great-grandchildren; several nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives, neighbors, and friends who will sadly miss him.
Online condolences: www.craig hurttfuneralhome.com
Funeral services for Daniel Wilson were held on Monday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Dr. Robert Bratt and Rev. Roger Flint officiating. Genessa Freeman and Genet Harris, accompanied by Geneva McCullough, sang “Hold The Fort,” “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” and “Haven Of Rest.” Pallbearers were Tom Hicks, Craig Curtis, Jeff Cauldwell, Bobby Emery, Austin Love, and Kit Wilson. Honorary pallbearers were Don Newberry and Basil Smith. Full military honors were given at the cemetery by the American Legion Post 30, and The Lima Burial Detail Team with Jared Moore servicing as bugler. Burial was in the Pleasant Home Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Mo.
