Joseph Lewis Wilson

Joseph “Joe” Lewis Wilson

Ava, Missouri

Joseph Lewis Wilson, 88 years, 5 months, 13 days old, passed away on April 7, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, with his family by his side.

Joe was born October 24, 1937, in Doolittle, Missouri, to John and Lilly (Dipple) Wilson. Joe was the youngest of 18 children. He graduated from Newburg High School in 1955.

After graduation, he went to work at Rawlings Manufacturing as a sewing machine operator in Newburg, Missouri.

On May 17, 1958, Joe and Michelle Giant were united in marriage in Rolla, Missouri. Together they were blessed with four children, Christine, Anthony, Joseph, and Marcia. In 1960, Joe and Michelle moved to Ava when he was transferred to the new Rawlings plant in Ava. It was then that he became a mechanic. He worked there until his retirement in 2001.

Joe was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Ava. He was an outdoorsman. Joe loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and woodworking. In addition he was a farmer and raised beef cattle. He and Michelle delighted in raising their kids on the farm to experience God’s great land.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several siblings.

Joe is survived by his wife, Michelle; children and their spouses, Christine and Karl Richards, Anthony and Jennifer Wilson, Joseph and Barbra Wilson, and Marcia Wilson and David Cooter; six grandchildren, four step grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and eight step great grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Braidlow and Wanda Braidlow; extended family and friends.

Memorial services for Joe will be Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava Missouri, with a visitation prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Heart of the Hills Food Harvest in Ava.