Published on April 21, 2026 11:15 am
Last Updated on April 21, 2026 3:46 pm
Edward Forrest Wilson, 83, of West Liberty, Illinois, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana, with his family by his side.
Mr. Wilson was born February 22, 1943 in Olney, Illinois, the son of Forrest and Mabel (Cullison) Wilson of West Liberty. Ed graduated from Newton Comm. High School in 1961 and attended Greenville College. He married Elaine Bushue on December 3, 1993 in Effingham, Illinois, and she survives. Ed grew up with a fascination for Aviation and always wanted to become a pilot. He joined the Army in 1965, and immediately after basic training went to Flight School at Ft. Wolters, TX and Ft. Rucker, AL.After flight school, Ed served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 and as an instructor pilot at Hunter AAF at Savannah, GA from 1968 to 1969. After discharge from active duty, Ed served with the IL National Guard until 1994, retiring with the rank of CW4 (Chief Warrant Officer IV). Ed farmed for over 50 years near West Liberty and was President of Delta Commodities of Olney for 20 years. In 2003, Ed resumed his flying career and flew with ARCH Air Medical Service out of Effingham for 5 years. Wilson was an avid trapshooter and bowhunter, making several hunting trips to Canada and safaris to Zimbabwe and South Africa. In later years, Ed and Elaine spent winters at their home in Bokeelia, Florida, enjoying golfing, fishing and boating. Ed was a lifelong golfer and was instrumental in developing and building the back nine at Richland County Golf Club, as well as serving on the board of directors for several years.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Esther Louise Wilson, one German Shepherd, Heidi, three chocolate labs, Mandy, Buster, and Maggie, who just passed away on
Good Friday this year. Maggie and Ed will be taking all the golf cart rides they can enjoy.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, a brother, Dennis Wilson of West Liberty, IL, a son, Ross (Dena) of Castle Rock, CO; daughter, Sandra (Jett) of Brownsburg, IN; four granddaughters, eight great grandchildren, and former spouse, Delores Kay Conour of Robinson, IL.
Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney has been entrusted with arrangements.
Visitation will be held for friends and family from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 24, 2026 at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, with visitation from 9:30 AM until service time. Interment will follow the service at Dundas Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Humane Society of Olney.