1943-2026
Billie “Bill” Lee Wilson, 82, son of Arch and Mildred (McKibben) Wilson, was born Aug. 21, 1943, in Jefferson. He passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, Des Moines.
Bill graduated from Panora High School in 1961. On June 27, 1964, he married Janet Kay Shelley in Panora. They made their home in Panora for a short time before moving to a farm south of Dawson, where they lived until 1971. They then moved to their current home south of Jamaica. Bill farmed and worked for North Central Gas Company (MidAmerican) in Perry until he retired around 2004. Bill continued to farm for another four to five years before he retired.
Bill was an active member of the Jamaica Fire Department and the Jamaica Lions Club for more than 40 years. He also served on the Yale-Jamaica-Bagley School Board for eight years.
He is survived by his wife, Janet of Jamaica; son, Rob (Jennifer) Wilson of Beresford, South Dakota; daughter, Lisa (Greg) Jones of Norwalk; five grandchildren, Christian, Katelyn and Hayden Wilson, Doug Jones, and Natalie (Jake) Fees; and one great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Eugene and Marion; and his sisters, Doris and Virginia.
Visitation will be Sunday July 26, from 3-5 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Please join the family at the Jamaica Community Center for meal and sharing of memories following the service.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.