Dennis L. Wilson

Dennis L. Wilson, age 71, of Athens, passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL after a brief and courageous fight with cancer.

Dennis was born July 7, 1950 in Springfield, IL to Carl Leamon and Ora Pearl Boyer Wilson of Petersburg. He was the youngest of seven children, six having survived to adulthood, and was doted on by his sisters to the point of when he had whooping cough at age seven, one saved her lunch money to buy him a tea set so that he would take his medicine.

He graduated from PORTA High School in 1968 and received his love letter from the federal government inviting him to the Vietnam War in 1969. Knowing that he was terribly afraid of heights and claustrophobic, he selected the 82 ^nd Airborne Division of the US Army to (unsuccessfully) overcome those fears and of course, paratroopers were just cooler and paid better. It has been said that he had an amazing and much coveted handlebar mustache during his military service, but photo proof cannot be found.

After the service, Dennis came back to Petersburg where, through mutual friends, he met and married Rebecca “Becky” Aiken on October 13, 1973, whom he said was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and she remained his greatest coup until his last breath. They have one daughter, Denelle “Deni” Wilson of Athens, who gave Dennis his absolute best friend, his grandson, Connor Andrew “Andy” Wilson.

Dennis worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation/Division of Highways for 34 years and retired as a Lead Worker for Mason and Menard counties in 2008. He loved to tell the stories of plowing snow during the blizzards of the 1970’s and 1980’s; especially the one where he plowed the same snow from the same storm for weeks due to ever shifting winds. He was the best GPS and could tell you how to get anywhere in the US on any road and was always asked for directions anywhere he went, even if he had never been to the destination himself.

He loved to travel with his family and spend the winters in Arizona hanging out with his pals in the neighborhood. He was overjoyed when he was able to reconnect with his high school buddy, John Boeker, and attend drag races, car shows, and continue the fifty plus year debate about Chevy versus Ford.

Dennis was extensively involved in the community over the years; serving as Cubmaster for Athens Pack 52, Assistant Scoutmaster for Athens Boy Scout Troop 52, and was Unit Commissioner for the Abraham Lincoln Council. While Cubmaster, at one point he was so successful in recruiting boys into the scouting program that there were more boys in the school district in scouts than not. Dennis was also a member of the Menard County American Legion Post #129 and served in a variety of positions.

Above all, Dennis lived his life to be with his little family and to take care of them.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Ora Pearl Boyer Wilson, two brothers, Daniel Carl Wilson of Petersburg and Larry Wilson of Florida, one sister, Dixie Harris of Florida, and an infant sister, Mary Lorraine Wilson.

Devastated by his passing are his wife Becky, daughter Deni of Athens, grandson Andy, and Logan Dowell of Noblesville, IN, grand-pup’s, Harper Lee and Zelda Fitzgerald, grand-cat’s Shelby Cobra, Luna, and Cece. Dennis also leaves behind two of his oldest sisters, Clara Taylor and Helen Barbee of Petersburg, as well as many nieces and nephews that he adored.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 11am-1pm.  Burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Menard County American Legion Post #129 or to the Menard County Animal Control for pet adoptions.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.