Leonard Franklin Wilson

Leonard Franklin Wilson 87 year old, Worland resident, passed away at his home on January 30, 2012.

Leonard was born on September 13, 1924 in Hugoton, Kansas a son of Oba & Mabel (Taylor) Wilson. He received his education in Hugoton, graduating in 1942 from the Hugoton High School. He then attended college for a brief time when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served during World War II. He was an amphibious tank driver in the South Pacific Theater.

Following the war he returned to the states where he worked for a pipe line company for 3 years. He then went to work for Dowell Oil Company where he held many positions in his 42 years with the company.

On December 25, 1951 he married Flora Nell Keown in Gordon, Texas. The couple lived in Ulysses, Kansas until 1954 when they came west to Glendive, Montana. They lived in Cut Bank, Montana for a short time before returning to Glendive again. In 1968 the family moved to Worland where they lived for many years. Because of Leonard’s work, they went back to Kansas for a while, but because Worland had been their favorite place to live, they returned here upon retirement and have remained here ever since.

Leonard was a member of the Worland United Methodist Church and also the Cloud Peak Masonic Lodge #27 and Kalif Shrine, Sheridan Wyoming. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors, he was a woodworker and enjoyed making lawn ornaments and camp tables for family and friends, his other hobbies included playing golf and going to the Worland Senior Citizens Center for meals.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Loreta.

He is survived by his son Kim (Ellen) Wilson of Green River, Wyoming; grandchildren: Mark Wilson and fiancé Abbie Foristal of Denver, Colorado and Rebecca (Jason) Deboodt of Fort Collins, Colorado and one great granddaughter Keira Deboodt.