Sam E. Wilson

1940 - 2024

Sam E. Wilson

March 20, 1940 - August 16, 2024

Sam E. Wilson, 84, of Bettendorf, passed away August 16, 2024, at Bickford of Davenport.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport, IA. A Mass of Christion Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church Bettendorf, IA. Cremation will follow with burial at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Rock Island/ Milan Educational Foundation or St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Please share condolences at www.rungemortuary.com.

Sam was born March 20, 1940, in Rock Island, IL, to Herbert and Althea (Marshall) Wilson. He was a proud graduate of Rock Island High School and Augustana College. Sam's first marriage was to Beverly Ellison in 1960. In 1994, he married Mary Watson at the Ascension Chapel, Augustana College.

While in college Sam worked as a sportswriter covering Augustana sports for the former Morning Democrat, now QC Times. In 1964, he became a reporter for the Moline Dispatch prior to starting a 50-year career with Iowa Illinois Gas & Electric, now MidAmerican Energy retiring as the Director of Corporate Communications in 1994. Sam ultimately retired in 2014 as MidAmerican's Chief Lobbyist, Government Affairs.

Sam was very active in the community serving eight years on the Rock Island School board, the RI Botanical Center, RI Optimist Club, and the IL Chamber of Commerce.

Sam was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf, the RI Arsenal Golf Club, Davenport Country Club, and Davenport Gyros Club. He enjoyed golf, talking, boating, reading (especially about WWII), he was an avid Yankees, Hawkeye, and Rock Island Rocks sports fan. He was endlessly curious about people and never met a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Wilson; eight children: Kristine Wilson Plano, TX, Tom (Ann) Wilson, Wylie, TX, Lynda (Ken) Sangston, Plano, TX, James Watson, Davenport, IA, Joe Watson, Davenport, IA, Julie (Pete) Lelonek, Ankeny, IA, Teresa (Mike) Lund, Omaha, NE, Dianne (Rich) Bak, Omaha, NE; ten grandchildren: Aaron Wilson, Abby Griffin, Brianna Freeman, Austin Lelonek, Alex Lelonek, Lauren Lund, Nicole Lund, Madelyn Lund, Tyler Bak and Samantha Bak; four great-grandchildren; siblings: Nancy ( Jack ) Schick and Steve Wilson.

Family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Bickford Cottage & St. Croix Hospice.