Carl Hamer "Stubby" Wilson

Carl Hamer "Stubby" Wilson, 93, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at St. John's hospital in Joplin. Born May 20, 1911, he was the son of Vilas M. Wilson and Marriah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hamer, who preceded him in death.

On Feb. 10, 1952, he married Darlene Belt, who preceded him in death. Born of this marriage were two daughters, Tonia Darlene Wilson-Biggs, of Joplin, and Tina Carlene Wilson, who preceded him in death in 1976. As a World War II veteran, Wilson achieved the rank of technical sergeant during his service in the U.S. Air Force from May 7, 1942, to July 20, 1945. Serving in the 587th Squadron of the 9th Air Force Group in the European Theater, Wilson flew 28 bombing missions aboard a B-26 bomber as an engineer gunner.

After returning to Nevada, Wilson later owned and operated Wilson's Wrecker Service and Garage for many years. During those years, the high point of Stubby's summers were the family vacations with his mother's family at Jackson Lake, Jackson Hole, Wyo., from the late 1940s until 1960 when the Wilson family began their vacation trips to Table Rock Lake near Branson. Stubby also loved riding his motorcycles and the company of his family and friends. Wilson was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2175, Nevada; lifetime member of the American Legion Post No. 2, Nevada; member of the B-26 Marauder Historical Society; and a lifetime charter member of the World War II Memorial Society. Stubby's work and personality were synonymous with the pride and merit Nevadans so cherish in their history. His place in our community, as in our hearts, cannot be replaced.

Wilson is survived by his daughter Tonia Wilson-Biggs, Joplin; two grandsons, Carl Hamer Wilson and Shane Biggs, Joplin; one brother, Paul E. Wilson, Nevada; one sister, Ouida Gregg, Columbia, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews who love and will miss him. He preceded in death by two brothers, Wiley E. Wilson, Ardmore, Okla., and Carlie W. Wilson, Nevada; two sisters, Violet M. Hoy, Wichita, Kan., and Lena Motley, Nevada.

Pallbearers will be Christopher R. Wilson, Arnold, Mo.; Carl Henry Wilson, Tulsa, Okla.; Terry Arjay, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Ed Brieger, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Woody Wilson, Broanugh; and Aaron K. Pilcher, Nevada. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Hamer Wilson, Joplin; Shane Biggs, Joplin; P.T. Moffatt, Nevada; Walter L. Wilson, San Jose, Calif.; Shaun M. Pilcher, Nevada; Gene Myers, Nevada; Richard Myers, Nevada; and Bob Gibson, Nevada.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m., at Ferry Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Ferry Funeral Home.