Duane Wilson

Duane Vertis Wilson of Higley, one of the last true cowboys, went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2008. He was 80 yrs old. Duane was born on January 3, 1928 in Oakland, IA. After graduating from Oakland High School he served as a paratrooper in the US Army at the end of WWII. When his service in the Army was completed he returned to Oakland and started his own business, Wilson Truck Line. He was a farmer, cattle rancher, and avid country western dancer, moving from Iowa to Arizona in 1975. He is survived by his sons Michael (LeeAnn) Wilson of Mesa, AZ, Newt Wilson of Oakland, IA, David (Jenn) Wilson of San Marcos, CA, and stepson Michael (Marsha) O"Brien of Oakland, IA. Daughters Paige (Jamie) Minor of Council Bluffs, IA, Whip Wilson of Lincoln, NE, Sherry (Jon) Spitz of Gilbert, AZ, and Julie (Joe) Koeth of Chandler, AZ, 19 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren, a brother, Gerald Wilson of Oakland, IA, and two sisters, Jean Priegel of Orange, CA and Beaulavon "Tootie" McGraw of Mission Viejo, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Zoe (Williams) Wilson, and a grandson, Joey Koeth. Visitation will be held on Tuesday October 7, from 6 to 8 pm at Falconer Funeral Home 251 W Juniper Ave, Gilbert, AZ with funeral services on Wednesday October 8, at 10:00AM at Central Christian Church, 933 N Lindsay Rd, Mesa, AZ. Additional funeral services will conclude in Oakland, IA on Saturday October 11. Flowers can be sent to Falconer Funeral Home (AZ) or Reiken Vieth"s Funeral Home (IA). Donations may be made on his behalf to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, 500 W. Thomas Road, Suite 720, Phoenix, AZ 85013.