Tom L. Wilson, 82, of Galesburg, died at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2020, in Aperion Care Galesburg North.
He was born February 24, 1938, in Galesburg, the son of Clarence T. “Peanuts” and Ruby M. (Colley) Wilson. He married Judith Lieber on June 12, 1960.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judy and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Ruetz.
Tom had worked for the First National Bank, was director of the Downtown Council, and was the City of Galesburg Treasurer from 1993 to 2005. He was a member of the Illinois Municipal Treasurer’s Association.
Tom covered over five decades of Silver Streaks sports, first on television in the 1960’s, then on WAIK and WGIL radio stations throughout the rest of his career. He was inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame as a friend.
Tom also wrote historical articles for the Galesburg Register-Mail for 12 years. He wrote and published a book, Remembering Galesburg, containing history of Galesburg beginning in 1938. He donated proceeds from this book to the Galesburg Public Library Foundation. He was a member of the Knox County Historical Sites Association. Tom was a large collector of Presidential Americana buttons and books.
Tom had served on the Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1999. The college proudly named their main campus road Tom L. Wilson Blvd. in honor of his dedicated service. Tom had served as the president of the Illinois State Community College Board.
Tom was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He never missed a game and he followed them in the off season as well. He loved attending baseball card shows. Tom was active in the Galesburg Pioneers baseball program while it was running. He worked to find homes for the players to live in, including his own, in Galesburg for the summer. He also coached little league baseball and YMCA basketball.
Tom had also served as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Elections. He had been a member of the Galesburg Exchange Club and was past president of the Galesburg Jaycees.
Visitation will be 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at East Linwood Cemetery. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited seating. Those wishing to attend the service “virtually” may watch the live broadcast on the funeral home’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824. Memorial contributions may be made to Carl Sandburg College or the Galesburg Public Library Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
