Roy Wilson was born April 14, 1918 to Ginus and Helena Wilson on a farm near Presho. He had two brothers, Harry and Leonard and a sister, Agnes Retzlaff. Roy grew up as a farmer in Presho, Plano, Mitchell and then Plankinton, where he farmed until 1972. In Plankinton, he served on the elevator board, the city board and was a trustee. After moving to Mitchell in 1972, he continued custom farming and worked as a foreman until his retirement years. Roy was a true cowboy, always dressed in western wear. He enjoyed raising and training Palomino horses and riding them in local parades. He was a fan of Roy Rogers and named his own horse, Trigger. Roy had the pleasure of meeting Roy Rogers. He was a great baseball player and was approached by minor league scouts, but farming was his priority. He enjoyed fishing and had a sharp eye for pheasant hunting. During pheasant hunting season, he hosted out of state hunters. He also enjoyed league bowling.
Roy’s first marriage was to Gladys Krull at Corsica in November 1946. They had three children: Gene, Cheryl and Rodney. They shared five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Roy’s second marriage was to Dolores Barnes Piatek at Alexandria in May 1957. They had five children: John, Patty, Michael, Roy and Nancy. They shared four grandchildren.
Roy and Dolores remained in their Mitchell home until March 2010, when due to Dolores’s health, they moved to Terrace Manor in Dell Rapids. Roy moved to Avera Prince of Peace in Sioux Falls after Dolores died in December 2010. www.bittnerfuneralchapel.net