Joel Charles Wilson

Joel "J.C." Wilson, 91, of Abilene, died Saturday, May 30, 2009 at a local nursing home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal. The Rev. Mary Glover will officiate. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Born January 20, 1918 in Princeton, Texas, J.C. was the son of the late Charles A. Wilson and Alice C. (Lewis) Wilson. He moved to Abilene in 1923. J.C. attended McMurry College and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree. After graduation he taught high school in Kermit, Texas for three years. He then worked as a facility manager for the U.S.O. for five years during World War II near training camps. Following working for the U.S.O. he went to work as the director of the YMCA in Abilene for five years. J.C.'s longstanding career was at West Texas Utilities. He worked at W.T.U. for 30 years, holding many positions during that time. He was formerly the President of the Abilene Rotary Club, where he was also a member for 50 years. J.C. attended the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal where he sang in the church choir for 55 years. J.C. was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and J.S. "Pinto" Allen. He is survived by his brother, Paul Wilson, of Wichita, Kansas; three nieces, Carol Koetke, of Bloomington, Illinois, Martha Smith and Johanna Wilson, both of Wichita, Kansas. He is also survived by a longtime family friend, Donna McMinn, of Abilene. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 209 South Danville, Building B, Suite 107, Abilene, Texas 79605.