Henry A. Wilson, 1918-2003, Edwards

Henry Arthur Wilson, 85, Edwards, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at Bothwell Regional Health Center, after a year long illness.

He was born Oct. 4, 1918, in Big Piney, a son of Henry and Thursie Elizabeth Edgmond Wilson. On Dec. 11, 1942, in Tuscumbia, he was married to Elvia Laverne Catron, who survives.

Mr. Wilson lived his early childhood in the Big Piney/Duke area and lived many years in the Etterville/Eldon area. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and enlisted in the Missouri National Guard. He transferred to the Army after Pearl Harbor. He served as a forward observer in the 231st Field Artillery, 6th Armored Division under Gen. George S. Patton, U.S. 3rd Army from Normandy to Berlin. He was awarded five bronze stars for five major campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. He reenlisted in 1948 and was awarded three additional bronze stars for major campaigns in the Korean War. In 1966 , he returned to Duke, where he lived for 24 years. In 1990, he moved to the Edwards area with his wife. They enjoyed many happy retirement years on Lake of the Ozarks. He was a baptized, Bible believing Christian, teaching many young friends moral values and the fine art of fishing and hunting. His political views were conservative. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Civilian Conservation Corps Association, 6th Armored Division Association, Wild Turkey Federation and National Rifle Association. In 1989, he decided to donate his body to medical science at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years; a daughter Catherine Joan Wilson; his siblings, Dorsie A. Wilson, Alpha L. Wilson Reaves, Jack R. Wilson and Bonnie J. Wilson Hannah; two grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

He was predeceased by a brother Arlie F. Wilson.

In lieu of a funeral there will be a celebration of life gathering from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Maplewood Church, four miles east of Sedalia on state Route O.

Arrangements were under the direction of Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw.

The family suggests memorial contributions be to Benton County Hospice, 1234 Commercial, Warsaw, MO 65355 or American Heart Association, 905 S. Prospect, Sedalia, MO 65301.