Hastings Funeral Home was in charge of services for Errol Wilson of Perry, Iowa. A masonic service was held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Irene Barbara Lunde Memorial Masonic Chapel in Perry. Pastor Paul Burrow of the Rippey United Methodist Church provided words of comfort. Scripture was done by Jeffrey Wilson and Jerry Wilson.
Honorary casket bearers were: David, Mathew, Nicholas and Mitchell Wilson, Otley Chapter Masonic Lodge. Casket bearers were: Jeffrey Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Joe Royer, John Powell, Marty Terrill and Leon McDowell. Trumpet Solo by Jerry Wilson was “Amazing Grace” accompanied by Barb Wilson. Marjorie Vannatta and Dick Bardole were the musicians. Hymns chosen were “How Great Thou Art” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” Interment took place at the Rippey Cemetery. Following the services at the cemetery was a luncheon at the Rippey United Methodist Church.
Errol Arthur Wilson, son of John and Clara (Morris) Wilson, was born December 17, 1918, in Rippey, Iowa and died February 3, 2015 at Rowley Masonic Home in Perry, Iowa. He graduated from Rippey High School in 1938. For several years, he gave guitar lessons, sold guitars, and played in a band. He worked in sales at Montgomery Ward’s in Perry & Omaha, and in 1942 he purchased a small Phillips 66 gas station in Rippey, and began his life’s work in the oil business. In 1945 he built a modern station in Rippey, and in 1957 he took over his brother’s tank wagon business, and started Wilson Oil Company as a Phillips 66 jobber, retiring in 1980.Errol was an active member of the Masonic lodge for nearly 70 years, holding the highest office in his chapter. On October 25, 1939, he married Anna La Faun Correy of Dawson. They made their home in Rippey until 1969, when they built a home in the country near Perry. To this union were born two sons, Errol Lynn Wilson, and Dean Arthur Wilson. Upon Errol’s retirement in 1980, they spent their winters in Alamo, Texas, moving there full time in 1988. Errol became a part of the Rowley Masonic Community in 2009.
Errol was a self-made man, who, through hard work and dedication, achieved great success in his business career, and was liked and respected by all who knew him. He was a multi-talented man who could build or repair anything he desired, and was also an avid hunter and fisherman, who instilled in his sons a love of the outdoors and sportsmanship. He also enjoyed reading western novels, and watching western TV programs. He will be remembered as a kind and generous man, a loyal friend, and a loving family man who immensely enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a great Dad and role model who always set a fine example for his sons to follow.
He was preceded in death by his Wife, La Faun, in 2003, and his parents, John & Clara, a brother, Edward, and a sister, Bonnie. He is survived by his two sons, Errol Lynn (Barbara) of Stillwater, Minnesota, and Doctor Dean Arthur of Los Angeles, California, two grandsons, Jeff (Kim) & Jerry (Kristy) Wilson of Minnesota, four great grandsons, David, Matthew, Nicholas, & Mitchell, also of Minnesota, one brother, Robert, of Weatherford, Texas, and many other relatives and friends. Memorials may be sent to Rowley Masonic Home in Perry, Iowa.