Wayne Eldon Willson

WAYNE ELDON WILLSON was born 18 February 1939, in Lamar, CO, to Frank and Mae Wanda (Castle) Willson joining his sister Lois Viola in the home near Springfield, CO. After the separation of his parents, he accompanied his mother and sister around the country until they settled in northern Mississippi. Wayne returned to live with his father Frank and Neva (Bickford) at the age of 12 becoming a part of a blended family with brothers Robert and Ronald and sister Janice on the farm north of Springfield. He attended North Liberty country school through the 8th grade then completed high school in Springfield graduating in 1957. During high school he was a member of the National Honor Society as well as being very active in high school student government. He was elected freshman class vice president, sophomore class president, secretary/treasurer of Student Council his junior year, and president of Student Council his senior year. He participated in FFA his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years and secretary of FFA his junior year. Was active in all sports and a member of the S Club as sophomore, junior, and senior and secretary of S Club his senior year. As co-captain of the football team his senior year he was very proud to have been on the first team in state B-Class league history to finish the regular season unscored upon. Following graduation in 1957 he attended Pueblo Community College before working at the Colorado State Hospital as a medical attendant and also sold encyclopedias for a short time. In 1959 he began working for the CF&I Steel Mill until October 1960 when he volunteered for the draft. He then entered the US Army where he trained as a Medical Specialist and served as such at Fort Riley, Kansas, through October 1962. Following military service, he returned to CF&I for a short time before he left to work for Climax Molybdenum Mine near Leadville, CO. On 16 September 1965, he was involved in a mining elevator accident that would change his life forever. He suffered severe head and facial injuries that would require years of surgeries and hospitalizations. The miracle besides just being alive is that he would be able to live and function mostly independently for the rest of his life. Additionally, the medical experiences and the training he had from his days at the State Hospital in Pueblo plus the training and work during his Army time was beneficial as he provided care and support first for his dear friend Dottie then later his mother during their last few years as they each suffered through illnesses. Wayne has managed to live on his own for the last 23 years until his health deteriorated and he was moved to Brookdale Nursing Home in Brighton, CO. earlier this year. Wayne passed away at the Brookdale Nursing Home on 2 October 2024, at the age of 85 years and 7 months. He is survived by his older sister Lois Viola (Billy, deceased.) Hill of Memphis, TN, younger brothers Robert (Marcia) of Thornton, CO., Ronald (Ginger) of Cumming, GA., and sister Janice (Dan) Winings of Colorado Springs, CO. Other survivors include nephews WD (Chick) Hill of Memphis, TN; Robert Willson of Denver, CO; Jeffrey Willson of Los Angeles, CA; nieces Cindy Hill of Knoxville, TN; Debra Willson Kuroiwa of Nagasaki, JP; Shawn Amrine Maloney of Arvada, CO; Judy Amrine Blanchard of Madison, MS; Sara Willson Thacker of Atlanta, GA; Anna Willson Goble of Mableton, GA; and Wendy Willson Giddens of Fort Collins, CO. Graveside service will be held at Springfield Cemetery on 11 October, 2024. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Buddy Bench Program c/o Springfield School District, P.O. Box 68, 475 W. 5th Avenue, Springfield, CO 81073. Please include “Buddy Bench-Wayne Willson” on the memo line.