JAMES CLEO WILSON

James Cleo Wilson, age 81 of Whitley City, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Kentucky.

He was born at Bald Knob, Kentucky, on September 18, 1935, the son of the late George and Lula (Ross) Wilson.  Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children: Alma Ruth (Spradlin) Wilson, brothers: Clyde Wilson, Clifford Wilson, Carl Wilson, Carol Denton Wilson, George Edward Wilson, sisters: Marilyn Dobbs (and husband Elbert), and Mildred Wilson, and  great-grandchildren: Kenzley RaeLynn Bryant and Kayla Lee-Ann Wilson.

Surviving family include his wife of 31 years, Rachel (Keith) Wilson, children:  Kenneth (and Gidget) Wilson, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Rodney (and Diane) Wilson, of Pine Knot, Kentucky, Thressa (and Wade) Baird, of Strunk, Kentucky.  Grandsons: Keith Wilson, Brandon Baird, Bradley (and Earldine) Baird, granddaughters: Hayley Alma Bryant, Kelli-Anne Baird, Ginger Snell, and special friend, Debra Tucker, great granddaughter: Destiny Snell, brother-in-law, Clifford (and Linda) Keith, sisters-in-law, Anna Six and Pauline Sumner, several nieces and nephews and many friends who will greatly miss him.

Cleo was retired from the U.S. Forest Service where he worked for 32 years.  He was a member of the Flat Rock Baptist Church.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, camping and his dogs.  Mostly, he loved being with his family whom he loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 2, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCreary County Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Staley officiating and special music by Jeanette Sears.  Burial will be at the Angel Cemetery in Stearns.  Visitation will be Saturday, July 1, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.