George W. Wilson

PIERCE -- Memorial services for George W. Wilson, 97, of Pierce will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Stonacek Memorial Chapel here with the Rev. Gordon Bruce officiating. Private family burial services will be at a later date at Lone Star Cemetery in Mississippi. He died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at Pierce Manor. Memorials are suggested to Pierce, Centennial/Utica, Gothenberg Nebraska Education Foundations. George Wallace Wilson was born Feb. 23, 1916, at rural Collins, Miss., to William Emmanuel Wilson and Addie Graves Wilson, and died Feb. 28, 2013, at the age of 97 years and 5 days. He attended Lone Star School, Delta State Teacher's College and received his master's at the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his education-specialist degree at the University of Nebraska and was a superintendent of schools. He married Bonnie Flick on June 8, 1944, in San Jose, Calif. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 55 Norfolk, Master Mason, and American Legion Post 72 Pierce for 34 years. He served in the U.S. Navy August 1941 to June 1946 as Chief Pay Clerk, Supply & Distributing Officer, Aviation Machinist Mate; the Pacific Theater, USS Wyandot (AKA92); Flight Engineer-PBY-5A-Battle of Midway. He earned the medals of Good Conduct, American Defense Service, American Theater of War, Asiatic-Pacific Area (two stars) World War II Victory, Philippine Liberation (one star). George and his wife, Bonnie, have been residents of Pierce for 41 years. George was an avid fisherman, hunter and conservationist. A very dedicated school administrator serving as high school principal at Gothenburg 1952-1959, superintendent Utica/Centennial Schools 1959-1972, and superintendent Pierce Public Schools 1972-1985. He also was teacher, coach, principal at Lone Star, Oakvale, Rocky Creek, Miss., 1946-1952. George will be remembered for his garden produce. He was a resident of the Pierce Manor from April 10, 2012, until his death. Survivors are his wife, Bonnie Wilson of Pierce; three sons, Larry and wife Joann Wilson of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Michael Wilson and friend Joyce Wickell of Auxuasse, Mo., and John P. and wife Kathy Wilson of Madison, Ala.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a brother, Edwin Wilson of Gulf Port, Miss. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son George Wallace Wilson Jr., three sisters and five brothers. Eulogy will be by his son, John Pat Wilson. Recorded music will be "In the Garden" and "Because He Lives."

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George W. Wilson

February 23, 1916 - February 28, 2013