Joseph Michael Wilson

I'M SO SORRY YOU ARE GONE. I MISS ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD WITH EVERYONE THAT WE KNEW, AND YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW VERY MUCH YOU ARE MISSED! WE ALL HOPE YOU ARE STILL SINGING WITH ROY. ALL MY LOVE JOEY. ALICE

Joey I really miss you on the days I come into Helena for treatment. Sitting on your porch drinking beer before my teartment and then after. It's been a great adventure we were on. Holly, if you need anything just call. Yes, I miss your horasment.

Alice and family I am so sorry for your loss.

I just learned of Joey's death and am very saddened to realize that he is gone. Some of my fondest memories from my early days in Helena were when I was included in the hijinks and high adventures of Joey and his friends in the hallways of HHS or on Friday and Saturday nights. Since then I always looked forward to our class reunions knowing that I would get to see Joey's wry smile and hear his humorous banter about his doings and undoings. To read the entries from everyone who has written is truly a tribute to how well liked he was and how lucky we all were to have known him.

It was with such a loss to hear that Joey had past away; the news was given to me with heavy heart by Jeff Peterson. Many of us remember Joey and in my case they go back to well over 50 years to 1954, then we were classmates at Bryant School. I remember Joe and others, such as, Marvin Marshall and Jim Wilcox, on many occasions walking to the YMCA to play for the Bryant Hornets against Central, Emerson and the Greenies. All of the teams were just kids no coaches or managers, and many of the opponents later became good friend to all us.

Growing up with Joey was a great experience and I remember with fond memories the various discussions with all us and Joey’s mother, Mary, whose humour and dry wit was to become the personality of Joey. Many of discussions were about Joey’s imaginary friends and what they had to say. Over the years we have continued to be best friends and involved in each others ups and downs. Many times over the years Joey has found the time to visit where ever I was living (San Francisco - Miami – London) each time we had great adventures and fun.

I have been very fortunate for Joey and Gary Woods to come over several times to London and spend time, each occasion we finished off with a trip to Ireland. There one could really see the spontaneous and gregarious side of Joey with people. The last time we met in Europe, we went to Ireland, Gary Woods, Joey and myself and Kenny Cottrill flew into Dublin, where we all had a great time and later we took a tour to the west of Ireland. Such fun to spend time with three great friends.

Recently, I was in Helena in July and spent a lot of time with Joey and remember many good conversations. One day we drove up to Lynn Predmore's and sat around the picnic table and discuss our time in high school. Another evening with Skip Culver, Dee, Dick & Julie Brinck, and the Gilmores, we had dinner and Joey excelled himself in making all of us laugh so hard.

Joey will indeed be missed and my heart is very sad, but at the same time I remember so many times to together, that I just smile and then I realise how much Joey was connected to my life. Thank you Joey for being a great friend over the years.

Joey, well, you are probably singing with Roy himself now (hope he knows how lucky he is!) Thanks for all the laughs,songs,love and kindness you always showed everyone around you. You could have been a politician, lawyer, comedian or teacher but you choose to be everybody's "UNK". Thanks from all of us who had the privilege of knowing you. Dixie

Dear Joe,

I did not get to meet you. We are sad to here that you have past. May you be resting peacefull in your heaven. You sound like a very nice person. Maybe some day we will meet......

Joe Wilson was one of the real guys, always had something to say to make you laugh, I most remember him saying, well that is the way it is because my mother dressed me funny. We hung out together a lot in those HHS days, Gary Woods, Larry Ursich, Gary Maddio, Jeff Peterson, Marvin Marshall and others. I left Helena long ago and did not know him as an "adult" but I suspect he remained the same genuine guy he always was right up to 2007. My condolences to his family. I was comforted to see so many classmates making similar comments about Joe.

To Holly and Joe' family. I felt a special bond with Joe after our visit when he was down here in St. Vincent Hospital. I feel privileged to have known Joe. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

How sad I am to hear about Joe but how glad I am that I was able to see him at our last class reunion. He was so much fun! I will cherish that time along with all the memories - what a super guy. Best wishes to you, Holly, take good care of yourself.

I was very saddened to hear of Joe's passing. Joe and his mother were neighbors of my parents for years and Joe took the time to watch out for them and help them. I took out my annual and looked at our pictures from high school and remembered so many great memories that we had during those special years. I always took the time to visit Joe in the summer so we could catch up on the old gang--Larry,
Gary M. Gary W and etc. I will remember you always; rest in peace Joe. One day we will all be together for one great reunion.

DEAR JOE,

YOU DEFINITELY WILL BE MISSED. I AM MOVING TO MONTANA AND WAS PLANNING ON COMING AND SEEING YOU MORE OFTEN.

YOU COULD MAKE ME LAUGH LIKE NO OTHER AND SING ROY ORBISON LIKE NO OTHER. SEE YOU IN HEAVEN.

LOVE YOU JOE, LINDA

So glad we were able to spend time with you last summer, we loved your sense of humor, I have not laughed so hard for so long. We feel lucky to have known you.
Becki & Glen Crosby (sister of Linda Woods)

The Family of Joe

We were saddened to read of Joe's passing. He was always one of our favorite guys in Helena. His smile and kindness will be remembered.

I salute you Uncle Joey. May you rest in peace, until we all can join you once more and laugh again like we used to.

Until then, we'll do our best to laugh first and think of you in appreciation. After all, we owe it to you.

We love you, and we'll happily join you in the backup vocals for the songs of our "Brother Roy".

P.S.

We'll miss you.

wish i could have been there at the funeral. but the army has me here in hawaii. i wish that i could have spent more time with joe when i was home in december.

My condolences to the Wilson family and my old classmate, his brother John. Joe was a very nice person. When he was in the 4th grade at Central, his brother and I were in the 8th. I remember that nice little kid very well.

Terribly sorry to hear about Joey. Ran around with him in High School. He went to Helena High and I went to Cathedral. We were really good friends and had a lot of good times. Joey will be truly missed. An old friend.

Dear Joe,
I'm so sorry that I didn't get a chance to know you. You sound like a wonderful fun loving man. I love the fact that memorials in your name can be made to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society. If you knew me you would know that I love animals too. I hope to see you in heaven.

Joey - you will be greatly missed at our HSHS Class of '62 reunions. Since we met in junior high, you always made me laugh and feel good about life whenever I saw you. It was fun being in classes with you for six years. My condolences to your family and acquaintances in the Helena area -- your memory will live on in a positive manner for so many people.

Ah, Joe, what are we going to do without you?

Uncle Joey was "Everybody's Unk", and for good reason. He kept everyone laughing and was always the life of the party, no matter where you were. I'll miss his crazy stories and jokes. What a great man! I hope he knows how much he'll be missed.

Joey was a close friend of my younger brother Marvin while we were growing up in the Sixth Ward and thus I became a friend as well.
I will always remember his 100% enthusiastic approach to whatever he was doing. His can-do attitude was infectious and kept us all charging ahead. My sincere condolences to his surviving family, friends, and acquaintances. I am sure his presence in their lives will be greatly missed.

My thouhts and prayers are with the Wilson family. Joey was a good friend of my brother John Dahl and he spent alot of time at our home when we were younger. Many, many good memories of a wonderful man. Joey, may you rest in peace and brighten the Heavens with your laughter and charm.

Dear Joe,
Although our social contacts were far to infrequent rest assured when we did get together your humor and sincerity made the occassion memorable. Believe us cousin you will be missed. We hope your reunion with the Finnegan clan is joyous!
God bless!
Larry & Alice

In the early 80's when I was down on my luck, it was Joe Wilson that came to my house and picked me up. I'll never forget him because of that. He was a true friend, great classmate, and wonderful man. When I get to those pearly gates, I know it'll be Joey that opens the narrow side door to sneak me in!!

Joe you were the best neighbor a person could have - we'll miss ya. Love and prayers to you and yours.
Cas & Rita

To the families of Joey, please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May he rest with the angels above.

To the families of Joey, please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May he rest with the angels above.

Joey Wilson was simply a great, great guy. He was the quintessential loveable hustler/street kid who could've grown up anywhere from Brooklyn to Calcutta.
He introduced me to the game of basketball in the winter of 1954 when we were in the 4th grade at Central School. Somehow he knew personally all the players on the Crimson Bengals state championship squad that year. What a huge memory that is!
Although I hadn't seen Joey since May 1959, I had always hoped to run into him again.
Whenever I'd bump into Joe Wilson
we would break into laughter before a single word was uttered.
Thanks, old buddy. I'll miss you.

Joe, what a blessing you were to all that knew you. Rest in peace dear friend.

God Speed Joey....I'm sure the whole Finnegan clan is with you right now....I'll think of you often and be thankful that you were my cousin. May God hold you in the palm of his hand until we meet again. Love Diane