K.B. Wilson

84, passed away on November 28, 2016. K.B. was the only son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Leland) Wilson and brother to Jan (Wilson) Richardson. He was a brilliant, generous and loving man of boundless accomplishments. He was most proud of his 60-year marriage to Mary Ann (Milliner) and his five daughters, Beth Stroh, Melissa Zipes, Nancy Harden, Laura Burton and Karen Wilson and his fourteen grandchildren. Every moment spent with them was cherished by all.

K.B. attended school in Roachdale and Wabash, Indiana, graduating from Wabash High School in 1950. He was inducted into the Wabash High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. He earned a basketball scholarship to and graduated from Michigan State University, where he was the student assistant coach. He served as an officer in the United States Air Force before graduating from the Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis in 1961.

K.B.'s career included numerous positions at American United Life Insurance Company, ending as General Counsel and Secretary. He retired as managing partner, president and CEO of Gardner and White in 1994. After retirement, he served as senior life insurance consultant for the Indiana Department of Insurance and as an administrative law judge.

K.B. was committed to community service through his leadership roles in many organizations including St. Luke's United Methodist Church, the Southern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, Indiana Legal Services, Meridian Hills Country Club, the Indianapolis Boys Club, Western Golf Association, and Christian Theological Seminary. He enjoyed golfing and displayed his nine "hole-in-one" plaques amidst pictures of family in his library filled with a vast, diverse collection of books.

K.B.'s words and actions demonstrated the meaning of love. He once wrote, "How easy it is to be a cheerful giver, voluntary and without compulsion, when we have plenty. How difficult, I've thought, it must be for those with little or nothing to give. Maybe, though, I have missed the point. We think of giving in terms of dollars. We should not. The greatest gift is the gift of oneself, of friendship, of understanding, of compassion and of love. That gift we all can give, cheerfully, and with confidence that it may be measured only inwardly, not by comparison with others." We are grateful for the love that he showed us as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend.

Calling will begin at noon followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 on Wednesday, November 30. In lieu of flowers, donations in K.B.'s memory may be made to the K.B. Wilson Fund, Indiana Legal Services, 151 N. Delaware, Suite 1850, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or the IU Foundation/Miles for Myeloma Fund, IU Simon Cancer Center, P.O. Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207. Please indicate that donations are made in K.B. Wilson's honor.

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Published by The Indianapolis Star on Nov. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for K.B. Wilson

15 Entries

Emily Dale

December 3, 2016

I've known Mr. Wilson since I was in the 2nd grade (that was. . .hmmmmm . . .more than 45 years ago). He was my best friend's father and set an example to everyone who knew him of what a responsible, loving father (with a sense of humor) should be. When I was sad one time, because we were all growing up and things were changing, he didn't try to comfort me with platitudes. Instead he said, "you know if you do something for 11 days in a row (maybe it was 17 I don't really remember), you'll do it forever." It distracted me and, believe it or not, I have thought of that many times in my life - especially when I wanted to change habits. A person I was lucky to have known and have influence my life.

December 1, 2016

K. B. Wilson was a giant leader to the client board members on the Legal Service Board of Directors.
He believed in us and enabled us to grow and be the best board members in the Legal Service community.
We thank God for blessing us with this great man who believed in us.
Our prayer and thoughts go out to the family.

Carolyn Barlow and Circle City Clients Council

December 1, 2016

I am sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Lisa Duke

Fred Lintner

November 30, 2016

Kathy & I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your daughters. Kay became an honorary member of the Class of 1951 and we thought of him as "one of us." I remember having a very pleasant conversation with Kay recently at the Honeywell House in October, and despite his physical problems, his outlook and approach to life was positive. I will remember him with fondness and the deepest respect.

Fred Lintner

Norman Metzger

November 30, 2016

K. B. was one of the most influential persons in my life. For over 30 years K. B. servered as the treasurer of Indiana Legal Sevices while I was the Executive Director. It's fair to say, as treasurer, he was as significant as the president. When he spoke, everyone listened. The board of ILS honored him by creating the KB Wilson Award. It is presented to an individual who provided distinguished service to Indiana Legal Services. I coveted his advice and counted on his leadership. We often acknowledged each other by noting we grew up in the neighboring counties of Wabash and Whitley. I loved K.B. He was an original.

Monty Montgomery The Sprinkler Dr.

November 30, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. K.B. was such a delightful character. I will miss him.

November 30, 2016

Our deepest condolences from all at Foundation for Youth.
What we do for ourselves dies with us.
What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal Albert Pine

Sarah Richardson

November 29, 2016

So thankful I was able to get to know Uncle Kaye a bit more during my time in Indianapolis. I loved visiting with him as he always had such a great sense of humor and was just a fun guy to be around. Will truly miss our visits. My thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Mary Ann and all family members during this difficult time.

November 29, 2016

Beth,
I'm so very sorry to hear this news. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends.
My Condolences,
Brenda Moore
SBSW

Harry Johnson

November 29, 2016

I had the opportunity to serve on the Indiana legal services board of directors with K.B. Wilson. in deed was very generous and genuine he was truly a friend to everyone, we will all miss him.

November 29, 2016

KB, no words to express how very much I will miss your so dry humor, your "Morning" as we retrieved our papers but most especially your eloquence when you spoke, filled with love and pride, of your Mary Ann and family. So many memories, time will not diminish them or my love for all of the Wilsons.
Ree or "Driz" as your side kick dubbed me.

James Vice

Sent Flowers

James ("Jim") Vice

November 28, 2016

I knew Kaye only occasionally in high school, being a grade behind him, though I worked closely with his mother at the "teen canteen." His wife Mary Ann is a classmate of mine and a good friend. I lost touch for many years. For the last few years, we have lunched often---and how deeply I regret the many lost years. The earliest "Sir Kaye" was a Knight of the Round Table. (I suppose KB was more practical in the business world.) But Kaye was indeed a knight of the round table. In high school he was admired as an excellent athlete. As we lunched together, I found him a thought-full and wide ranging intellect with all of the generous virtues of the "Round Table"---warm, wise, and courageous.

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