Richard Wilson

Richard B. Wilson, 84, Jamestown, North Dakota, died Friday, February 16, 2007 at Hi-Acres Manor Nursing Center in Jamestown.

Richard B. Wilson arrived at the James R. and Bessie Bell (Tomlin) Wilson farm, near Monango, ND, on March 9, 1922.

His education included 8 years at Hamburg #4 and graduated from Monango High School in 1940. In 1942, he received a 2-year teaching degree from the Normal Industrial College in Ellendale, ND and took additional educational studies were taken at Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD and the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Richard enlisted in the United State Marines in the Fall of 1942 and was a combat veteran in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, participating in four assaults: Bougenville-3rd Raiders, Emaru-4th Regiment, Guam-4th Regiment and Iwo Jima-4th Infantry. He was wounded on 3 occasions, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Gold Star. Richard received an honorable discharge in the Spring of 1946.

After arriving home, he planned to farm, but took a job teaching at Hamburg #4. Poor crops again in 1947 returned Richard to the classroom in Hoople, ND where he taught for two years. It was there he met Eileen Lilleoien and they wed June 15, 1949. After he married, he taught in Ellendale, Marion and became the superintendent of Monango Schools for 5 years.

The family moved to Jamestown in 1957 and he worked for the Credit Union League. For 20 years, Richard was the head of the Student Union at Jamestown College, managing the Post Office, Bookstore and the Placement Office. Following his retirement from the college, Jamestown College students fondly remembered and honored ""Mr. Wilson"" by dedicating their Homecoming to him.

In retirement he worked parttime, 10 years for the Jamestown Park and Recreation Department, at the Hillcrest Golf Course Club House.

Richard is survived by two sons, Joel (Ann) Wilson, Jamestown and Robert (Joleen) Wilson, Rapid City, SD; two daughters, Debbie (Bob) Westermann, Duvall, WA and Beth (Scott) Spanton, San Antonio, TX; 12 delightful grandchildren and one sister, Lorraine (John) Knecht, Hillsboro, ND.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years; his parents; one sister, Harriet White, and a special cousin, Doris Gatz.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM, Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at Atonement Lutheran Church, Jamestown with Pastor Steve Berntson officiating.

Visitation: 1:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at the Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.

Prayer Service: 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at the Eddy Funeral Chapel.

Burial: Center Lutheran Cemetery, McVille, North Dakota, in the spring.

Memorials: The Day Dream Project at Hi-Acres Manor Nursing Center, Atonement Lutheran Church or Jamestown Hospital

On line guestbook at www.eddyfuneralhome.com