Paul Gregory Wilson's Obituary
Paul's service will be streamed live at
https://my.gather.app/remember/paul-wilson-2022
Paul G. Wilson (Bounce), 85 of Moravia passed away, Monday, August 1, 2022, at Mercy One -Des Moines of a massive heart attack.
Paul was born to Frank & Ruth (Cox) Wilson on August 3, 1936, in their home in Moravia. He grew up in the Moravia Community and graduated High School in 1954. Went to college at Iowa State University for 2 years and then went on the "Great Wheat Harvest". He enlisted in the Army in 1959, and when he returned, married the love of his life, Deanna Beard on March 19, 1961. They have 3 children, Matthew, Marla, and Melanie. Paul worked with Moravia Farm Service as a contractor doing custom applications for Fertilizers and Chemical. After several years, started Green Lawn Enterprise. He went on to purchased Tissue General Store and changed it to Wilsons General Store, where he added the gas station and convenience store. He met so many wonderful people every day traveling to Rathbun Lake and staying connected with the community.
Paul was always willing to help anyone, even if it met opening the store to help a stranded traveler get gasoline. After 19 ½ years they sold it in 2002, to be with his family and cattle business. Attending the grandchildren activities, always cheering them on whatever they were doing no matter where he had to go. He would drive miles to see them.
Paul and Deanna worked with the Moravia Community Housing where he served as President for 26 years and dedicated himself to help the elderly to have a nice home to live.
Farming was his main interest, the soil and what it could produce is truly a mystery. His love of his livestock was something only out of a movie you would see. He could walk around the pasture calling the cows and they would come up to him. Paul took pride in his cattle.
He was on the St. Joseph Hospital Board, Grace United Methodist Church Board as President and Trustee, Mason, Shriners, Lake Rathbun Board, and a member in the first stage after the Dam was completed. Paul was a simple and earthy man like his father, Frank. Caring and sharing like his mother, Ruth. He was always proud to be one of their sons.
His 6 Grandchildren meant the world to him, and he loved them visiting the farm. He loved his extended family saying it was the greatest family anyone could be a part of.
Survivors include his wife, Deanna married 61 years, children: Matt Wilson, (Erika), Marla Wilson, Melanie Osborne (Jeremy), grandchildren: Kaitlyn Batterson (Dylan), Cody Batterson, Kelsey Batterson, Colby Batterson, Emma Osborne, Jake Osborne, brother, James Wilson, sister-in-law, Annabelle Wilson, and numerous extended families. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John Wilson, sister-in-law, Charlene Wilson, and mother -in-law, Grace Beard Spurgeon.
"Do not grieve - I have Lived my life, and God needs me now!"
Funeral service will be 10:30 am, Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Grace United Methodist Church in Moravia. Interment will immediately follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville from 11-7 PM, with family present from 5-7 PM. There will be a Masonic service at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be given to Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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