James Dale Wilson, 87, of Columbia, Illinois, born September 16, 1936 on Cane Creek in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 in South St. Louis County, Missouri. He was one of six children born to Acel Brown Wilson, Sr. and Hazel Estella, nee Ward, Wilson.

In his early years he lived in the hills, where his favorite pass time was throwing rocks.  He became good at it, which served him well later in life when he would pitch baseball and softball (and even play basketball) through his high school years.  Later in life that might even had helped him become a good bowler.  He bowled nine perfect 300 games.

James had three careers in his life, starting with working at a Wallis Dairy Farm until he graduated high school at age 18. He then worked for Spector Freight System where he was a Clerk, Office Manager and eventually the Regional Claims  Prevention Supervisor.  He was also an insurance agent/broker for over 50 years, working in Belleville and Columbia, IL. He owned and operated Wilson's Insurance Agency for 30 of those years.  He also managed and sang bass for the gospel singing group "Son-Rise" that performed throughout Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Tennessee. He was a dedicated Baptist and served as a sound technician and trustee at his church.

When he did find free time, James raised and trained registered Wilcreek Beagles.  He also enjoyed woodworking – making frames, chess boards, trinkets, custom cabinets, and furniture; and hunting – including deer hunting in Colorado and owning several guns.

Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by a brother, Acel Brown Wilson, Jr.; two sisters, Betty Wellman and Faye Tinker; and two brothers-in-law, Zack Tinker and Forrest Wellman.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Louetta May, nee Hayes, Wilson, whom he married on June 10, 1956; his daughters, Diana Louise (Brian) Cobb of Troy, IL and Susan Lynn (Michael) Summers of Prairie Home, MO; grandchildren, Christopher James Stephens of St. Louis, MO, Joshua Conrad (Lisa) Cobb of Coos Bay, OR, Brianne Dawn Cobb of St. Louis, MO, Rachel Diane (Daniel) Beaman of Columbia, MO, and Leslie Christine O'Neal of Fairway, KS; grandsons, Jacob and Ethan Beaman and Ayodele Targaryen; a brother, Bobby Lee (Evelyn) Wilson of Moline, IL; a sister, Patricia Gertrude (Kenneth) Moore of Waterford, MI; and a sister-in-law, Bessie Wilson of Naperville, IL.  He was also a dear uncle, cousin, and friend.

In following his wishes a private cremation was to take place.  A Memorial Service will be planned at a later date at the First Baptist Church in Dupo, Illinois with his ashes being buried at Brown's Chapel Cemetery in Broseley, Missouri.
Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois was entrusted with the care of Mr. Wilson.