August 4, 1935 - June 3, 2023

Herbert R. Wilson was born to Clead Wilson and Elsie Ann (Dailey) in Sitka, AR on August 4, 1935. Herbert graduated from Williford High School in 1953. He attended Arkansas State College in Jonesboro. Herbert married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jo Selby, in 1956. They moved to Aurora, IL in 1956, where he began his career with Western Electric. Herb and Betty welcomed their first child, Bruce in 1957. After accepting a transfer to Kansas City, Herb and Betty relocated to Kansas City, KS and later Grandview, where they established their lifelong home and raised 3 additional sons and a daughter. Herb retired from Western Electric (now AT&T) in 1990. Not one to sit for long, he took up HVAC training at the Metropolitan Community Colleges in the early 1990’s. After completing his HVAC certification, Herb embarked on a second career as maintenance supervisor for Grandview C-4 School District. In the early 2000’s Herb decided to try retirement again, this time for good, when he and Betty purchased a motorhome and tried out snowbird living during winter in New Mexico and Texas.

A jack of all trades, Herb wasn’t really any good at sitting still. Always an early riser, he could be found in the yard tending to his grass and garden. Spring vegetables were put in on schedule with one goal in mind…the earliest possible fresh tomatoes. While waiting on tomatoes, Herb’s new potatoes, fried to crisp perfection by Betty, made the wait a little easier. Not content loading the summer table with fresh vegetables, Herb’s lawn was also a point of pride. Trees, bushes, flowers, and the emerald carpet blanketing his yard were all tended to daily. To family and friends, it looked like his days had more hours than ours. It probably didn’t hurt that his started before sunrise.  It wasn’t always hard work. Most Sundays during the race season, Herb could be found observing the NASCAR Sabbath: kicked back in his recliner with a bowl of popcorn or bucket of pork rinds watching legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt taking left turns. Herb even did a little ‘qualifying’ himself behind the wheel of the family car on local roadways and family vacations. Herb also found nothing wrong with laying about in his chair listening to the blues legends on his television blues channel, reading everything he could find, or listening to pundits on cable news. Herb didn’t just have time for himself, he gave selflessly to friends and family in need of advice, repair, or a helping hand. Herb was always happy to share stories of growing up before electricity and even money had found their way into the Ozarks. His path from Depression Era Arkansas to the broadband internet era was a sobering perspective for anyone willing to listen. Herb wasn’t bashful about the ‘good old days’. He was quite happy with modern creature comforts, namely air conditioning. A summer car ride with Herb always included a sweater. Fiercely independent, Herb finally yielded to a lawncare provider in the last couple years of his life. Not by his choosing though, dementia symptoms began to take a toll on his motor skills and at the urging of family members, he tidied up his work shed and put his tools away.

Herbert passed away on Saturday, June 3^rd, at Menorah Medical Center, due to ongoing complications from dementia. He is preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers; 1 sister; and a son (Gary). Herbert is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty; sons, Bruce (Jennie), Kevin, Mike; daughter, Angela Boyer (Lucas); granddaughter, Tiffany; step granddaughters, Tammy, Wendy; Lap Companion Dog (Dusty). A reception for family and friends will be held in the family home Friday, June 9^th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation be placed in Herbert’s honor to Alzheimer’s Association (Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help)