STEPHEN BLAINE WILSON

Stephen (Steve) Blaine Wilson passed away at the age of 95 on January 21, 2024. He was born September 22, 1928, in Crane, Missouri. Steve graduated from Crane High School before attending the University of Missouri and obtaining a degree in Agriculture.

After college, Steve served as an officer in the United States Air Force. He met Nancy Susan Davis in San Antonio Texas, and they married in 1955. Together they raised three sons, and one daughter. Steve and Nancy traveled extensively with the Air Force, living for a time at Lajes Air Base in Azores, Portugal. Afterward the two settled on a farm in Fair Grove, Missouri, where for many years Steve taught Vocational Agriculture at Fair Grove High School and served as the advisor for the school's Future Farmers of America chapter. While teaching he also received his master's degree in education from Missouri State.

Later in life, after Steve and Nancy were divorced in 1982, he married Isabelle (Doady) Gibbs in October of 1986. The two resided in southern Springfield. Steve remained active until his late eighties, working frequently as a substitute teacher in the Springfield Public Schools. His favorite assignments were with the kindergarten and first grade classes.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Francis E. Wilson and Lola Jane Ellis Wilson, his brothers and sisters, Wanda, Joe, Betty and Earl, and his wife, Isabelle.

He is survived by his ex-wife Nancy, his sons Stephen B. Wilson, Jr. (Rana), Michael E. Wilson, and Donald F. Wilson, and his daughter Mary J. (Wilson) Klumpp (Richard). In addition to his immediate family, Steve is survived by five grandchildren (Caleb, Brandon, Colin, Adam, and Meghan) and one great-grandchild (Ralay), as well as several nieces and nephews.

Steve is to be cremated and later interred at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. A committal service with honors will be held at the cemetery once warmer weather arrives. Details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve's name to the Future Farmers of America Foundation at FFA.org/Donate.