Willa B Wilson

She was born on October 7, 1932, in Loretto, Tennessee, daughter of Orb D. and Alberta Brown. She married Jess V. Wilson on July 8, 1951, when she and Jess eloped to marry in Tupelo, Mississippi. Jess preceded her in death on December 14, 2007.

Other family members who preceded Willa in death were her parents; brothers Buck and Thomas Lee Brown, and sisters, Marie Jackson and Mayna Kroll, and nephews, Roger and Larry Jackson.

Willa’s survivors are one daughter, Lisa Wilson (Louis Milot) of Washington; two grandchildren, Chloe (Sam) Zangara of Peoria Heights, and Emory Milot of Washington, and many nieces and nephews.

Willa worked as a waitress in the Executive Dining Room at the Caterpillar Administration Building in Peoria for over 20 years, retiring in the early 2000’s.

Willa attended First United Methodist Church in Peoria with her daughter and family. She was a loving mother to Lisa and a very special Nana to the joys of her life, Chloe and Emory. Willa was a hard worker, wonderful cook and a caring and loyal neighbor and friend. Willa enjoyed travel to Tennessee and Alabama to visit her and Jess’ family in the summer and at Christmas. Willa will be fondly remembered for her wit, compassion and bright spirit that she exhibited even at age 92. She always offered hospitality to those who visited her at her home in Peoria Heights and her apartment at Charter Senior Living in Washington.

The family would like to thank Willa’s close and special friend, Deborah Marfell, for her visits with and love shown to Willa and her family. In addition, the family is grateful to each of the staff members of Charter Senior Living of Washington for their special care of Willa, and Amanda and Crystal at Vitas Healthcare for their loving care to Willa and support to her family.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria, where visitation will be held from noon until service time. Rev. Dr. Timothy Ozment will officiate services. Entombment will be at the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to Charter Senior Living of Washington; Vitas Healthcare; or First United Methodist Church in Peoria.