Richard Willson

Richard B. Willson, Sr., 84, of Webster City, died Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Foster Chapel, with Dr. Randy Ehrchardt officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be held at a later date. Richard Buell Willson, son of Frank and Lexie Wood Willson, was born November 7, 1927 at Madelia, Minnesota. He moved with his parents to Webster City in 1929. He graduated from Lincoln High in 1946. On June 22, 1951, he married Mary Louise Smith at the Little Brown Church at Nashua. The couple resided in Webster City. The couple later divorced in 1968. On February 14, 1969, he married Virginia Lee Bray at Webster City. In 1978, they moved to Colorado, returning to Webster City a year later. He was employed at several area businesses including; Phillips Bakery, Beam Manufacturing, Willson DX gas station, Franklins, Hawk Chemical, and EDS in Clarion. Virginia died November 20, 2005. Richard retired in 2010. Richard is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Peggy Willson; Russell and Colinda Willson; daughter, Shel'Lee Willson, all of Webster City; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Chelsea Willson of Bellingham, WA; Larry (LaVae) Willson of Des Moines; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Patricia Willson; Brothers, Russell, Frank and Claude Willson; sisters, Virginia (Sis) Abramson and Eva Eileen (Bode) McAlister. He was a member of American Legion Post # 191. He also enjoyed bowling, watching racing, playing cards and fishing. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Willson family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com