Mr. Carroll D. Wilson, 94, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 10:11 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, Illinois.
He was born on September 22, 1930, in Nauvoo, Illinois, the son of Robert L. and Edna Mae (Grotts) Wilson. He married Barbara Jean Jones on her parent’s lawn on June 28, 1950, in Hancock County, Illinois. She preceded him in death on February 17, 2015. He later married Mary Powell on July 18, 2020, in Galesburg.
Surviving is his wife, Mary Wilson of Galesburg, two daughters, Kathleen (and Eric) Kirbach of Ankeny, Iowa and Carolyn (and Doug) Blucker of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, five grandchildren, Benjamin (and Abby) Kirbach, Erin (and Josh) Wilhite, Cole Blucker, Wade (and Cayla) Blucker, and Aunna (and Carlton) Stripe, and eight great grandchildren, Olive Kirbach-Lewis, Jemma Wilhite, Ivy Blucker, Felix Kirbach-Lewis, Cedar Blucker, Emery Stripe, Theo Wilhite, and Stellan Stripe. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Rolland Wilson and Robert “Wayne” Wilson and a sister, Arlene Bergmeier.
Carroll graduated from Colusa High School in 1948. He served in the United States Navy during Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He later graduated from Western Illinois University. He was a long-time educator in Galesburg District #205 with administrative roles from 1959 to 1985. He was a teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and Principal. He served on the Galesburg City Council as a City Alderman from 1971 to 1974. He was a very active member of Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg and volunteered for the community for the American Red Cross and the Galesburg Rescue Mission. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and the study of history, especially the Civil War. Carroll loved road trips, travel, hosting homemade ice cream parties and was the ultimate storyteller. Carroll was honest, sought knowledge, and full of grace. He had immense love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As Carroll requested, cremation will be accorded. A Celebration of Life visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg with military rites by the Knox County Honor Guard. A luncheon will immediately follow the memorial service at the church. Cremation burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the River Bend Food Bank in Galesburg or Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
