William James Wilson
4-10-1936 to 12-10-2024
Billy Jim was conceived in the heart of Hells Canyon, and he was born in his grandmother’s house in Enterprise Oregon with his grandmother assisting as midwife.
He lived briefly with his parents in Hells Canyon and at Hat Point Lookout. In 1939 they moved to Riggins with added brothers, Peter Lee and Phillip Chance. In 1947 another brother, Rocke, was added.
Bill attended school in Riggins and graduated in 1954. He served in the Army in Korea. After he returned, he studied at the U of I in Moscow, Idaho where he learned to be a surveyor.
He worked for the state of Idaho, department of transportation, surveying the new road over White Bird hill. During this time, he married Jonna Wright and adopted her son Terry. Together they had a son, Troy, and during this time they moved to Pocatello Idaho where Bill worked as the city engineer.
Soon after, Bill and Jonna divorced and Bill met Mary Alice Montgomery who already had a daughter, Elisabeth, (Liz). Bill shared parental custody of Troy and Liz. Later they moved to Eugene, Oregon where Bill earned his masters degree in Library Science.
They then moved to Northern Idaho where Bill was the librarian at the Coeur d’Alene library. After serving that job for a number of years He and his family moved to Boise where he spent the rest of his working years as the ‘reference desk librarian’ in the Boise Public library.
In 1989 Bill was named ‘Employee of the Year’ for the city of Boise. He became fascinated with the history of his family and the pioneers who came West on the Oregon California trail.
He was active in the Oregon California trail association (OCTA) most of his senior years and even served as the president of the Idaho chapter for a few years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Murrielle, his brothers Phil and Pete and his daughter Elizabeth.
He is survived by his Wife, Mary Alice, his brother Rocke, his son Troy Harris and granddaughters, Sophia and Savannah. Son in law Duane Shreve and grandsons Cody Shreve, and Great Granddaughter Frances, and Jesse Shreve and Great granddaughter Cedar.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.