William W. Wilson Jr.

William W. Wilson Jr., 97, Wyomissing, died peacefully Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, at Columbia Cottage, Wyomissing.

He was born in Cranford, N.J., on Jan. 2, 1913, a son of the late Marie Carlotta LaVake and William West Wilson. At the time of his birth, his father was the chief engineer for the construction of paper mills and power plants in Northern Canada, and his mother went to her father's home, not willing to give birth to her first child in the wilds of Canada.

William is from old American families. His mother's ancestors came on the Mayflower in 1620. On his father's side, he is a descendant of the earliest settlers in Radnor and Tredyffrin Townships. Among them, his third great-grandfather, Capt. David Wilson, of Tredyffrin was assistant Wagon Master of the Fifth Battalion District of Chester County during the American Revolution and, toward the close of the war, was appointed Captain of the Tredyffrin troops.

His great-great-grandfather, David Wilson Jr., was host and postmaster at the Spread Eagle from 1817 to 1823. He became a farmer and drover and acquired a farm he named "Elda" in 1836. Elda Farm belonged to five generations of the Wilson family and in 2004, was dedicated as Wilson Farm Park. His father and grandfather were Presidents of the PG&N Railroad (Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown) which became a part of Conrail.

William lived his early years in Bridgeport, Pa. He later moved to Elda Farm of Chester Valley, which his father and uncle inherited. He graduated from George School, Bucks County, Pa., and from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His degree was in finance and his aspiration was to work for a bank. However, it was the "Depression" and he felt fortunate to be hired by Chrysler Corporation.

He met his future wife, Mildred Wanner, as a sophomore at George School and they were married at her parent's home in Fleetwood, on Aug. 15, 1936. They lived in Fleetwood and West Chester, except for an eight-year period in Dearborn, Mich., where he worked for Chrysler, became a buyer of aircraft parts during World War II and afterwards returned to sales as the manager of the New England states.

They moved to Fleetwood, when Bill was asked by his father-in-law to join the business he founded in 1900, C. A. Wanner Inc., manufacturers of men's fine hosiery. Eventually, Bill became president, and Mildred became treasurer of the company, which became their life's work. As the era of textile mills and small manufacturing declined in the northeast, he assisted other mills as they transitioned their businesses.

He was a gentleman, with exquisite manners, a personable and charming nature, and an impeccable appearance. He was known for his honesty and hard work and for his "trademark" bowties. The most charming aspect of his life was his 81-year love affair with his adored "Millie."

They moved to West Chester, and lived at Hershey's Mill during their retirement years until they became residents of Columbia Cottage. He is predeceased by his Millie who died at 97 in December of 2009.

His survivors include his two children, MaryAnne Wilson Cowdrey, Dallas, Texas; and Charles A.W. Wilson, Reading; five grandchildren: Ann Marie Cowdrey Stuart, Joel H. Cowdrey, Josh Wilson, Elizabeth W. Smith and Winn Wilson; and eight great-grandchildren.

He grew up a Quaker and was a lifelong member of Valley Friends Meeting. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 26 W. Washington St., Fleetwood, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to George School, Newtown-Langhorne Road, Newtown, PA 18940. The Mae A. Stump Funeral Home Inc., Fleetwood, is in charge of arrangements.