Obituaries : Jim Wilson

Jim Wilson, age 69, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, with his loving family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with Rev. Brian Channel officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Monday, at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton.  Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.  Memorials may be directed to the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department.

Jim was born on March 27, 1954 in Vinton, the son of Ralph and Elsie (Vaupel) Wilson.  Jim graduated from Washington High School in Vinton with the class of 1972.  He furthered his education at Marshalltown Community College, studying auto repair.   On November 8, 1975, he was united in marriage to Penny Long at the Vinton Presbyterian Church.    

Jim worked as a mechanic with his father-in-law Gene Long at Long's DX Gas and Service Station in Vinton.  Following Gene's retirement, Jim continued to operate the business as Wilson's Petro Stop.  Jim was a skilled mechanic and had built a loyal customer base through his many years in business.  He very much enjoyed his profession and continued to work until a few days before his death.  He was a member of the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years and a member of the Cedar Sailors.  Jim loved boating and time spent outdoors.  His greatest joy was time playing with his grandchildren, where he served a variety of purposes such as a horse, or a patient in a make-believe doctor's office.  He was a very giving person and would always find time to visit with a friend or help in any way he could. 

Survivors include his wife, Penny; daughters, Jamie (Cheo) Wilson-Sierra of Albuquerque, NM, Kim (Chad) Newton of Vinton; 3 grandchildren, Sophia Newton, Annabelle Newton, and Ernesto Sierra; 2 sisters, Janice Ozias of Austin, TX, Elaine (Lyle) Bolton of Vinton; 1 brother Chuck (Pam) Wilson of Cedar Rapids; and his niece and nephews, Orin, Liz and Austin.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law Doug Ozias.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com