Bobby L. Wilson

Bobby Lee Wilson, 94, passed away peacefully at The Summit of Bettendorf on December 1, 2024, attended by his wife of 75 years, Evelyn (May) Wilson, as well as his loving children.

Bob was born on June 21, 1930, in Butler County, Missouri, the third of six children to Acel Wilson Sr. and Hazel (Ward) Wilson. He attended Poplar Bluff High School, where he was active in the Future Farmers of America. In his junior year he met his future wife, Evelyn May, in Mrs. Steven’s English class. They were married not long after graduation, moving to Moline, IL, where Bob joined John Deere Malleable Works. Bob worked for John Deere for 35 years, completing his career with Deere at the East Moline foundry in 1984.

Bob was a devoted husband and father, going so far as to build a home for the family of seven, in Port Byron, IL. He was active in his children’s high school booster clubs and in his church, and he enjoyed woodworking, golfing, and bowling.

After his retirement, Bob went into business as an independent foundry consultant, work that took him around the world. He and Evelyn were close to inseparable, whether adventuring together in Australia for half a year; returning to Missouri to provide elder care for both his parents and mother-in-law. In their late 60’s he and Evelyn dismantled and reassembled a family log cabin that dated from the late 1800’s. After a full and active life, he and Evelyn made one last move together, into the The Summit of Bettendorf, both past their ninetieth birthdays.

Bob is survived by his wife, Evelyn; children Judy (Jim) Miller, Dennis (Tamara) Wilson, Gary (Jill) Wilson, Christine (Tom) Henning, and Curtis (Linda) Wilson; grandchildren Jason (Joanna) Miller, Steven Miller, Carolyn (Josh) Scott, Blake (Whitney) Wilson, Jon Henning, Cindy (Andrew) Gossfeld, Ben Wilson and Amanda Wilson; great-grandchildren Aidan Miller, Evelyn Miller, Raina Miller, Noe Scott, Perrin Wilson, Hadley Wilson, Xavier Gossfeld, Hannah Mack, Remington Gossfeld, Addelynn Gossfeld; sister Patricia (Ken) Moore; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Bessie May, his parents Acel Wilson Sr. and Hazel (Ward)

Wilson, and four siblings: Clara Tinker, Acel Wilson Jr., Betty Wellman, and Jim Wilson.

Bob’s family wishes to thank the staff of St. Croix Hospice and the Sierra staff at The Summit for their tenderness, compassionate and tender care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice (www.stcroixhospice.com).

Family and friends are invited to the visitation from 11-12pm Thursday with funeral services immediately following at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis. Interment will follow at Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline.