William Wilson

William Henry Wilson (86) of Glen Carbon Ill., formerly of Florence, Ala. passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026.

William “Bill” Wilson was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. to Henry Wilson and Johnnie Harrison Wilson on November 17, 1940. Bill graduated from Burrell Slater High School in 1958. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Supply Specialist during the Korean War. After his discharge from the military, he worked in the steel industry for 48 years until retirement at the age of 68.

Bill enjoyed fishing, was an amateur Ham radio operator (Foxy Pappa) and was an avid supporter of his sons’ sporting activities. He was very active with school athletic boosters serving as club president for many years. He was willing to help kids in the neighborhood, taking them to and from activities such as boy scouts, sports practices and games.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Mable Rainey, surrogate mother aunt Mariah Campbell, and brother Oliver Jackson.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Mildred Janette Wilson, their three children William Darryl (Carolyn) Wilson, Myron DeShawn Wilson, and Carlos Ferone (Lynette) Wilson, and two children from separate relationships, Andrea Colvard and Michael Turner. He has three grandchildren, Tiffany (Trey) Ashley, Johnathn Wilson, and Myah Wilson; four great-grandchildren, Tristan Ashley, Tyson Ashley, Noelani Wilson Ortiz, and Trinity Ashley and a host of nephews and cousins that he truly cherished.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

The procession will depart from the funeral home at 12:45 p.m. for a graveside service with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.