Jerry L. 'Willie' Wilson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Jerry L. "Willie" Wilson, 63, 1 N. Texas St., Harrisburg, died 2:05 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at his residence.

Mr. Wilson was cremated as per his wishes. The family will be having a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements are in the charge of Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home, Harrisburg.

He was born Sept. 13, 1945, in Harrisburg to Gratton and Helen Wilson Jr. On June 10, 1965, he married the former Debulah Kuppart, who survives.

He was Baptist by faith and a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He was a retired construction worker for S&Q Carpentry.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Teresa (Jim) Milligan; three brothers, Bob (Debbie) Wilson, Ted (Pat) Wilson and Ron Wilson; a sister, Sue Clay; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends; and a special friend, Jack Cantrell.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Mellissa S. Tison and Deborah "Dee Dee" Wilson; a son, Jerrod Ray Wilson; and his parents, Helen and Gratton Wilson.

Special thanks to Southern Illinois Hospice for the great help.