James Wilson
Saint Louis |

James C. Wilson, 86, joined his parents in heaven on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. He was surrounded by his family and drifted peacefully into a forever sleep. Jim was born on August 1, 1938, in St. Louis, MO, to Jo Gibson and Adele, nee Dumbeck, Wilson.
Jim was doted on as an only child and attended the Christian Brothers College and then Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in industrial engineering. Jim later earned his MBA from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He spent his career ensuring that the manufacture of American products was safe, his employees were well-treated, and his employers produced the best-made products available. He retired in 2003 after passing on his knowledge and passion for engineering to the next generations.
Jim married the Love of his Life, Phyllis, nee Grimmer, Wilson, on July 7, 1962, and they spent 62 years raising a family, touring the world, and devoting themselves to their community, wherever it might be. Jim had the privilege of being raised in Belleville, IL, and then residing in Prairie Village, KS, Cheyenne, WY, Pueblo West, CO and Plano, TX.
Jim volunteered for countless community organizations, but his most beloved organization was St. Mary's School in Cheyenne, WY, where his children attended. He enjoyed volunteering to clean bathrooms at each Frontier Days rodeo and spent several years working alongside band members to clean up after evening shows at Cheyenne Central High School.
Jim was known best for his humor, his love of pranks, his dedication as a husband, father, and grandfather, his intelligence and his service to his church and his community. He was a proud member of Kappa Alpha, the Knights of Columbus, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1960-1966.
Jim rarely missed a day without his beloved Phyllis, and together they traveled, whether it was pulling a 1976 Coleman popup camper with a Suburban full of children or sailing down the Volga on a river cruise. Jim was an award-winning woodworker, an avid photographer, bird man, hunter, and Denver Broncos fan until the end of his life.
Jim is missed terribly and survived by his wife, Phyllis, his children, Charles, Matthew (wife Angie), Andrew (wife Toni), Jennifer, Meredith, and Alex (wife Keri); his dearest cousin, Carol Van Hook, his 15 grandchildren, and his 9½ great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/illinois). Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Burial at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Renner Funeral Home