James "J.W." Wilson

Memorial service for J.W. Wilson will be held Monday, June 15, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, NM with Sister Anna Teeter-Gentile officiating. Cremation has taken place. James William "J.W." Wilson, 82 years of age, of Fort Sumner died at his home Thursday, June 11, 2015. He was born November 13, 1932 in Amarillo, TX to James Thomas and Mary Louise (Brigham) Wilson. He attended school in Los Angeles, CA and Fort Sumner, NM. He was a 1950 graduate of Fort Sumner High School. While still in high school, he worked part-time for Stan Stanage at Fort Sumner Publishing Company, and following graduation worked a short while at the Citizen's Bank of Fort Sumner. He moved to Amarillo, TX and worked at San Jacinto Printing Company. He was married to Lavelle Edwards on June 9, 1952 at the First Methodist Church in Fort Sumner. J.W. served in the United States Coast Guard from October 12, 1952 to October 12, 1956. His discharge rank was 2nd Class Engineman. He returned to Fort Sumner and went into the poultry business with his parents. Later he worked as a United States Postal Clerk at Fort Sumner, retiring in October of 1992. Throughout his lifetime, J.W. enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing. Since his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling in their RV - camping, fishing, hunting and sight-seeing. He is preceded in death by his mother, his father, and an infant sister (Billie Ruth). He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lavelle Wilson of the home in Fort Sumner, and three sons, James Steven Wilson (LeAnn) of Casper, Wyoming; John Wilson of Roswell, NM; and Quintin Wilson (Brenda) of Hobbs. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Jarrett and Derek Wilson of Casper, Wyoming; Manda Wilson-Olivas (Andrew) of Las Cruces; and Tanner, Tyler, and Halli Wilson of Hobbs. Two great grandchildren, Jaden Wilson and Analiyah Olivas, and soon to be born A.J. Olivas of Las Cruces. One sister, Sylvia Crenshaw (William)of Taiban, and their children Wilann, Becky, and Glen, and their families. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.