Bernard H. and Norma L. Wilson
Founders
Bernard Harrison Wilson was the founder of Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava. Bernard was born in Ava, Illinois, on January 12, 1921. He was also raised in Ava. Norma was born in Elkville, Illinois, on December 30, 1929. Together with her family, she moved to Indiana, but she graduated from high school in Ava. In August of 1947, Bernard Harrison Wilson and Norma Lee Giffin were married. Together, they had two children, William Lee and Jane Ann. Bernard bought the Williamson Funeral Home in Ava in September 1946. Side by side, they worked to instill the trust of the families in the surrounding communities for many years. Bernard was the licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, and Norma was behind the scenes, applying cosmetics and answering the telephone day in and day out. Together, they made the Wilson's Funeral Home what it is today.
Bernard H. and Norma L. Wilson
Founders
Bernard Harrison Wilson was the founder of Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava. Bernard was born in Ava, Illinois, on January 12, 1921. He was also raised in Ava. Norma was born in Elkville, Illinois, on December 30, 1929. Together with her family, she moved to Indiana, but she graduated from high school in Ava. In August of 1947, Bernard Harrison Wilson and Norma Lee Giffin were married. Together, they had two children, William Lee and Jane Ann. Bernard bought the Williamson Funeral Home in Ava in September 1946. Side by side, they worked to instill the trust of the families in the surrounding communities for many years. Bernard was the licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, and Norma was behind the scenes, applying cosmetics and answering the telephone day in and day out. Together, they made the Wilson's Funeral Home what it is today.
William L. Wilson
Owner Funeral Director/Embalmer
Bill was born and raised in Ava, Illinois. He attended grade school in Ava, Illinois. He graduated high school in 1967 from Trico High School. Then in 1969, he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He currently still resides in Ava, Illinois. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Ava, Egytpian Funeral Directors' Association, IFDA, NFDA, Alma Lodge A.F. & A.M. #497, Steeleville, IL, Ainad Shrine, Jackson County Shriner Club, Trico Lions Club, Trico Boosters Club, and the Jackson County Farm Bureau. He is the President of the Ava Evergreen Cemetery Association, Chairman of the First National Bank of Ava board, and sits on the Board of the Headquarters Holding Company. He has been employed by Wilson's Funeral Home since his graduation.
Mr. Wilson is married to Ronda Quigley Wilson. He has two children, Aaron Lee Wilson and Amy Lyn Wilson-Dallas, who both work with him in the family business. He has four grandchildren, Kaylee Jo and Kole John-William Boland and Kaden Lee, and Kanon James Wilson, two step-grandchildren, Katelyn and Maddie Dallas, and four great-grandchildren, Kasen Ray, Kohen William-Dale, Kynlee Lyn, and Kane Jeffrey. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, and they are the highlights of his life.
William L. Wilson
Owner Funeral Director/Embalmer
Bill was born and raised in Ava, Illinois. He attended grade school in Ava, Illinois. He graduated high school in 1967 from Trico High School. Then in 1969, he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He currently still resides in Ava, Illinois. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Ava, Egytpian Funeral Directors' Association, IFDA, NFDA, Alma Lodge A.F. & A.M. #497, Steeleville, IL, Ainad Shrine, Jackson County Shriner Club, Trico Lions Club, Trico Boosters Club, and the Jackson County Farm Bureau. He is the President of the Ava Evergreen Cemetery Association, Chairman of the First National Bank of Ava board, and sits on the Board of the Headquarters Holding Company. He has been employed by Wilson's Funeral Home since his graduation.
Mr. Wilson is married to Ronda Quigley Wilson. He has two children, Aaron Lee Wilson and Amy Lyn Wilson-Dallas, who both work with him in the family business. He has four grandchildren, Kaylee Jo and Kole John-William Boland and Kaden Lee, and Kanon James Wilson, two step-grandchildren, Katelyn and Maddie Dallas, and four great-grandchildren, Kasen Ray, Kohen William-Dale, Kynlee Lyn, and Kane Jeffrey. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, and they are the highlights of his life.
Carlos J. Barbour
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Carlos was born in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was raised in Steeleville, Illinois. He graduated high school in 1975 from Steeleville High School. Then in 1979 he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. He currently resides in Steeleville, Illinois. He has been employed by the Wilson's Funeral Home since 1979. He is the former Chief of the Steeleville Fire Department. Carlos is the Coroner in Randolph County, Illinois. He is a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Steeleville, IL, the Alma Lodge A.F. & A.M. #497 in Steeleville, Illinois, Egyptian Funeral Directors Association, IFDA, and NFDA.
He is married to Janice Becker Barbour. He has three children, Jennifer Barbour, Jonathan (Logan) Barbour and Laura (Jeremy) Thies, three step children, Jennifer (Tommy) Klausing, Will (Julie Wooley) Frederking and Reid Frederking, and six grandchildren, Hannah and Noah Thies, Kolton and Lynen Barbour, Lane and Wesley Frederking. He enjoys spending time with his family, working with the coroner's office and working with the fire department.
Carlos J. Barbour
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Carlos was born in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was raised in Steeleville, Illinois. He graduated high school in 1975 from Steeleville High School. Then in 1979 he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. He currently resides in Steeleville, Illinois. He has been employed by the Wilson's Funeral Home since 1979. He is the former Chief of the Steeleville Fire Department. Carlos is the Coroner in Randolph County, Illinois. He is a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Steeleville, IL, the Alma Lodge A.F. & A.M. #497 in Steeleville, Illinois, Egyptian Funeral Directors Association, IFDA, and NFDA.
He is married to Janice Becker Barbour. He has three children, Jennifer Barbour, Jonathan (Logan) Barbour and Laura (Jeremy) Thies, three step children, Jennifer (Tommy) Klausing, Will (Julie Wooley) Frederking and Reid Frederking, and six grandchildren, Hannah and Noah Thies, Kolton and Lynen Barbour, Lane and Wesley Frederking. He enjoys spending time with his family, working with the coroner's office and working with the fire department.
Aaron L. Wilson
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Aaron was born in Murphysboro, Illinois. He was raised in Ava, Illinois. He graduated from high school in 1989 from Trico High School. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1993 with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He has been employed at Wilson's Funeral Home since graduation. Aaron is a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Raddle, IL, the Chester Eagles, the Egyptian Funeral Directors Association, IFDA, and NFDA. He sits on the First National Bank of Ava board and the Randolph Mutual Insurance Board.
He is married to Jennifer Carter-Wilson. Together, they have two children. Kaden Lee Wilson and Kanon James Wilson. He enjoys spending time with his two boys, working on the farm, and taking care of his cattle.
Aaron L. Wilson
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Aaron was born in Murphysboro, Illinois. He was raised in Ava, Illinois. He graduated from high school in 1989 from Trico High School. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1993 with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He has been employed at Wilson's Funeral Home since graduation. Aaron is a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Raddle, IL, the Chester Eagles, the Egyptian Funeral Directors Association, IFDA, and NFDA. He sits on the First National Bank of Ava board and the Randolph Mutual Insurance Board.
He is married to Jennifer Carter-Wilson. Together, they have two children. Kaden Lee Wilson and Kanon James Wilson. He enjoys spending time with his two boys, working on the farm, and taking care of his cattle.
Amy L. Wilson-Dallas
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Amy was born in Murphysboro, Illinois. She was raised in Ava, Illinois. She graduated high school in 1994 from Trico High School. She graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1998 with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. She has been employed at the Wilson's Funeral Home since graduation. Amy is a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Raddle, IL, former member of Trico Boosters Club, Egyptian Funeral Directors Association, IFDA, NFDA, and the Jackson County Farm Bureau. She is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Ava Evergreen Cemetery. Amy is the Founder and Former Owner of the Brick Wall Boutique in Ava. Amy started with the Jackson County Coroner’s Office the summer of 2016, as a Deputy Coroner and enjoys the time spent working with that office.
Amy is married Dan Dallas. She has two children, Kaylee Jo Boland and Kole John-William and his wife, Kayla Boland, two step-children, Katelyn and Maddie Dallas, three grandsons, Kasen Ray and Kohen William-Dale Boland and Kane Jeffrey Leposky, and granddaughter, Kynlee Lyn. Family means to the world to her and she enjoys spending any free time she gets with them.
Amy L. Wilson-Dallas
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Amy was born in Murphysboro, Illinois. She was raised in Ava, Illinois. She graduated high school in 1994 from Trico High School. She graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1998 with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. She has been employed at the Wilson's Funeral Home since graduation. Amy is a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Raddle, IL, former member of Trico Boosters Club, Egyptian Funeral Directors Association, IFDA, NFDA, and the Jackson County Farm Bureau. She is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Ava Evergreen Cemetery. Amy is the Founder and Former Owner of the Brick Wall Boutique in Ava. Amy started with the Jackson County Coroner’s Office the summer of 2016, as a Deputy Coroner and enjoys the time spent working with that office.
Amy is married Dan Dallas. She has two children, Kaylee Jo Boland and Kole John-William and his wife, Kayla Boland, two step-children, Katelyn and Maddie Dallas, three grandsons, Kasen Ray and Kohen William-Dale Boland and Kane Jeffrey Leposky, and granddaughter, Kynlee Lyn. Family means to the world to her and she enjoys spending any free time she gets with them.
Chris Ehlers
Secretary
Chris was born in Murphysboro, IL, and was raised in Vergennes, IL. She graduated high school in 1982 from Elverado High School. Chris started at Wilson's Funeral Home in July 2020. She assists our funeral directors with preparations for the services and secretarial duties.
Chris and her husband, Jack Ehlers, reside in Elkville, IL, and have two children, Tad (Heather) and Tori, and two grandchildren, Ayden and Jenna.
Chris Ehlers
Secretary
Chris was born in Murphysboro, IL, and was raised in Vergennes, IL. She graduated high school in 1982 from Elverado High School. Chris started at Wilson's Funeral Home in July 2020. She assists our funeral directors with preparations for the services and secretarial duties.
Chris and her husband, Jack Ehlers, reside in Elkville, IL, and have two children, Tad (Heather) and Tori, and two grandchildren, Ayden and Jenna.