Jerry Wilson

Jerry Worth Wilson, 64, died on Wednesday the 18th of July, 2007 in Olathe, Kansas. Born on February 1, 1943 in Fayette, Missouri, he was raised in Sedalia, Missouri. It was there he proudly attended Smith Cotton High School until his senior year when his family relocated to Overland Park, Kansas. He met his wife Judith Lankard while attending Kansas City, Kansas Community College.

Jerry enjoyed a long and successful career in automotive finance first with Computerized Automotive Reporting Service (CARS) then as a member of the Motors Holding Division of General Motors, where his career lasted nearly two decades. A talented woodworker, Jerry created many pieces now treasured by his family including cradles for his grandchildren. He was also a licensed pilot.

He was a founding member of the Powder Creek Cowboys and a member of the Free State Rangers, both are affiliated clubs of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS). SASS, an organization that researches and recreates the 18th century western United States culture via costume, arms and activities, was a source of great fun for him. SASS members use colorful aliases; Jerry proudly called himself "Twelve Gauge" and took great delight in the fact that his wife, "JW Wildfire" was a better shot.

Jerry and Judith loved each other through 43 years of marriage and successfully raised two daughters. He is remembered as a man who built swing-sets on Christmas Eve, never missed a recital, a concert or a game; shot hoops on the driveway, waited up on date nights, proudly attended graduations, toasted happiness at weddings and joyfully welcomed the arrival of his grandbabies. He often said that God has a plan for us and He has never failed us. He also believed that we live in the greatest country in the world. These were among the lessons he taught his daughters.

He is survived by his loving wife Judith Ann, his sister Patti Jo Robertson, his two daughters Julie Kathleen Bilyea and Michele Suzanne Williams, his five grandchildren: Corey Williams aged 14, Jacob Williams aged 12, Tyler Williams aged 10, Jordan Kathleen Williams aged 4, and George Worth Bilyea aged 4.