Roy Robert Wilson, age 86, of Wheatland, passed away on June 30, 2026, at his home with his family at his side.
Roy was born in Wheatland, WI, on the family farm to Lyle Sr. and Marie (nee Bracker) Wilson on July 22, 1939. He attended the local one-room Wheatland Grade School, then attended Salem Central High School, graduating with the class of 1957. During his school years, he was in the Wheatland Willing Workers 4H Club for 8 years, and FFA during High School. After High School, he worked on the family farm for his mother, drove the Grade School bus for 3 years, and then the Central High School bus for 2 years. Roy also worked for the John Deere Dealer, Schmidt Implement Co., for two years before getting hired as a deputy Sheriff in June of 1965. While on the Sheriff’s Department, he was on the water divers’ team. He retired from the Sheriff’s Department in 1992 at the age of 53.
On June 7, 1972, Roy was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Molay. They have one son, Michael Paul (Susan) Wilson, a grandson, Chris Wilson, and two granddaughters, Taylor and Allie Wilson. For the last 10 years, he has spent his life with his partner, Bonnie Bandoli.
Roy is further survived by his sister Rose Schoening and sisters-in-law: Rosella Wilson and Nancy (Paul) Wilson-Kedzie.
For five summers, Roy spent the month of July digging for historical artifacts in the ground at Deadwood, South Dakota, with a group. For 25 years, in the winters, he would work at Wilmot Mountain Ski Hill.
Roy really enjoyed the outdoors; he liked to downhill ski, hunt, and fish. He started grouse hunting at the age of 18 and continued for 66 years. He would deer hunt in both Wisconsin and Wyoming. Over the course of his 32 years of hunting, Roy got 25 horned bucks. Roy also enjoyed a cabin on Barber Lake in Sawyer County, which was built in 1971. There is a large walleye mounted in the cabin that Roy’s nephew Dean is still trying to duplicate. Roy was also a great woodworker; he enjoyed making bird houses and wooden tulips.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Fern (Jim) Robinson, Beth (Brian) Beth, Larry Wilson, and Lyle Wilson Jr., and his brother-in-law, Bob Schoening.
Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday, July 10th, at the FUNERAL HOME, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Roy will be laid to rest at Salem Mound Cemetery at a later date.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory
625 S. Browns Lake Drive
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-3434
www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com
