James Dale Wilson, 87, of Columbia, born Sept. 16, 1936, on Cane Creek in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and died March 13, 2024, in South St. Louis County, Mo. He was one of six children born to Acel Brown Wilson Sr. and Hazel Estella (nee Ward) Wilson.

In his early years he lived in the hills, where his favorite pastime was throwing rocks. He became good at it, which served him well later in life when he would pitch baseball and softball (and even play basketball) through his high school years. Later in life, that might even had helped him become a good bowler.  He bowled nine perfect 300 games.

James had three careers in his life, starting with working at a Wallis Dairy Farm until he graduated high school at age 18. He then worked for Spector Freight System where he was a clerk, office manager and eventually the regional claims prevention supervisor. 

He was also an insurance agent/broker for over 50 years, working in Belleville and Columbia. He owned and operated Wilson’s Insurance Agency for 30 of those years.  

He also managed and sang bass for the gospel singing group “Son-Rise” that performed throughout Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Tennessee. He was a dedicated Baptist and served as a sound technician and trustee at his church.

When he did find free time, James raised and trained registered Wilcreek Beagles.  He also enjoyed woodworking – making frames, chess boards, trinkets, custom cabinets, and furniture; and hunting,  including deer hunting in Colorado and owning several guns.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Louetta May (nee Hayes) Wilson, whom he married on June 10, 1956; daughters, Diana Louise (Brian) Cobb of Troy and Susan Lynn (Michael) Summers of Prairie Home, Mo.; grandchildren Christopher James Stephens of St. Louis, Joshua Conrad (Lisa) Cobb of Coos Bay, Ore., Brianne Dawn Cobb of St. Louis, Rachel Diane (Daniel) Beaman of Columbia, Mo., and Leslie Christine O’Neal of Fairway, Kan.; grandsons Jacob and Ethan Beaman and Ayodele Targaryen; brother Bobby Lee (Evelyn) Wilson of Moline; sister Patricia Gertrude (Kenneth) Moore of Waterford, Mich.; and sister-in-law Bessie Wilson of Naperville.  He was also a dear uncle, cousin and friend.

Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by brother, Acel Brown Wilson Jr., sisters Betty Wellman and Faye Tinker; and brothers-in-law Zack Tinker and Forrest Wellman. 

In following his wishes a private cremation was to take place.  

A memorial service will be planned at a later date at the First Baptist Church in Dupo, with his ashes being buried at Brown’s Chapel Cemetery in Broseley, Mo.  

Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, was entrusted with the care of Mr. Wilson.