Clarence Avery Wilson, 95, of Newton, died Friday, July 26, 2024, at Park Centre. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. The family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, August 17, at the funeral home. Memorials to the Newton Community Education Foundation can be left at the funeral home.
Avery, the son of Clarence Selby and Mabel (Wert) Wilson, was born April 25, 1929, in Newton. He graduated from Newton High School in 1947, where he was an All-State football player. He attended The University of Iowa until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a motorcycle military policeman. Avery was united in marriage with Dolores Terpstra on June 4, 1950, at Pleasant View United Methodist Church. They made their home in Newton, where Avery worked at The Maytag Company. He retired as a Purchasing Agent in 1989. After his retirement, he was an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the RSVP driving program. He was also a Class Representative for the Class of 1947, a dedicated member of the Newton Alumni Association, and a member of Golden Kiwanis. He was a lifetime supporter of the United Presbyterian Church, Pleasant View United Methodist Church, and Newton schools and athletics. Avery was inducted into the Newton High School Hall of Fame in 2017.
Avery enjoyed being active until he was no longer physically able. Over the years he played tennis, handball, and lifted weights. He also rode over 100,000 miles on his bike in his lifetime, including riding RAGBRAI and completing 2 Double Century rides. He also helped his son-in-law farm for a few years. Avery loved to travel and had been to all 50 states, Europe—where he toured the beaches of Normandy and several WWI battlefields, and Australia, as well as enjoying an Alaskan cruise.
Avery was a lover of sports and a football fanatic; he especially enjoyed the Newton Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeyes. He attended all Newton home football games well into his 90s and kept detailed statistics on the teams for many years. He was also a dedicated attendee of Iowa football games, travelling to several bowl games as well as regular season games.
Avery is survived by his children and their families: son, Dennis (Vanina) Wilson of France, their daughter, Sylvia (Daniel) Rys and their daughter, Tamara; son, Scott (Lisa) Wilson of St. Louis, and their children: Nathaniel (Danielle) Wilson and children, Maya and Dylan, Aaron (Linda) Wilson and daughter Matilda, Jacob Wilson, and Laura (Alec) Van Landuit, and children, Bailey and Iyla; and Joy (Dean) Lane and step-children: Erik Lane, Richard (Megan) Lane, and Katie Lane (Conner Simmons); his nieces and nephews; and his close friends, Burt and Suzie Vander Schel. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dolores in 2005; and sister, Margaret Leydens.