Lillian Wilcox
July 21, 1911 — November 5, 2018
Lillian Wilcox
Obituary for Lillian Mae Wilcox (Gregory)
Lillian Wilcox age 107, a longtime resident of Atlantic, died on Monday, November 5, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lillian Mae Gregory was born July 21, 1911, in her parent’s home in Ralston, Iowa. A daughter of Guy and Elizabeth Gregory, she attended school in Ralston and Glidden. She moved to Glidden when she was in the fifth grade and graduated from Glidden High School in 1928. She was recently honored as the oldest living graduate of Glidden High School. She attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. As a young, single woman, she owned and operated a millinery and dress shop in Sac City, Iowa.
Lillian was married to William B. Wilcox on September 10th, 1935, in the family home in Glidden. Her husband Bill worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for his entire 43 year career.
Bill and Lillian lived in Marshalltown, Cedar Falls, West Union, Northwood, Missouri Valley, and moved to Atlantic in 1954. In the summer of 2017, she moved to Newton.
Lillian and her three sons lived in her hometown of Glidden in 1943, while her husband served in the Navy in
World War II. She helped her father in his hog buying business.
In Atlantic, she belonged to the First United Methodist Church, P.E.O., Nishna Hills Golf Club, Hospital Auxiliary, Telephone Company Pioneers Club 71, and several bridge clubs.
For thirteen years she served as the Welcome Wagon hostess for the city of Atlantic and introduced newcomers to the community to its various resources and businesses. After her retirement, she crocheted hundreds of baby caps for all the newborns in the Atlantic hospital.
Lillian enjoyed her family and friends and traveling with her husband Bill to all 50 states and 25 countries. She was especially happy playing golf and bridge with her friends.
She is survived by her sons Denis and wife Linda of Newton, Iowa; Jerry and wife Salie of Ithaca, New York; five grandchildren, Cintra Godfrey and husband Martin of Eagan, Minnesota; Jeff Wilcox and wife Julie of Urbandale, Iowa; Craig Wilcox of Alma, Colorado; Jeremy Wilcox and wife Libby of New York, New York; Rika Wilcox and husband Evan Johnston of Brooklyn, New York; step grandson Brian Jones of West Des Moines; step granddaughter Angie Carlson and husband Jeff of Westminster, Colorado; six great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren; special nieces Donna Nicholson of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Catherine Jackson of Hazelwood, Missouri; and Becki Gregory of Symrna, Georgia;
Lillian was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband William and son Bill; sister Nira Mease and husband Clyde; brothers Gerald Gregory and wife Rosemary; Francis Gregory and wife Maxine; brothers-in-law Paul Patton and wife Ann; and Jeff Wilcox and wife Lorine.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Family has requested memorials be made to Crossroads of Western Iowa and the Atlantic Public Library.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lillian’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
Lillian Mae Gregory was born July 21, 1911, in her parent’s home in Ralston, Iowa. A daughter of Guy and Elizabeth Gregory, she attended school in Ralston and Glidden. She moved to Glidden when she was in the fifth grade and graduated from Glidden High School in 1928. She was recently honored as the oldest living graduate of Glidden High School. She attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. As a young, single woman, she owned and operated a millinery and dress shop in Sac City, Iowa.
Lillian was married to William B. Wilcox on September 10th, 1935, in the family home in Glidden. Her husband Bill worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for his entire 43 year career.
Bill and Lillian lived in Marshalltown, Cedar Falls, West Union, Northwood, Missouri Valley, and moved to Atlantic in 1954. In the summer of 2017, she moved to Newton.
Lillian and her three sons lived in her hometown of Glidden in 1943, while her husband served in the Navy in
World War II. She helped her father in his hog buying business.
In Atlantic, she belonged to the First United Methodist Church, P.E.O., Nishna Hills Golf Club, Hospital Auxiliary, Telephone Company Pioneers Club 71, and several bridge clubs.
For thirteen years she served as the Welcome Wagon hostess for the city of Atlantic and introduced newcomers to the community to its various resources and businesses. After her retirement, she crocheted hundreds of baby caps for all the newborns in the Atlantic hospital.
Lillian enjoyed her family and friends and traveling with her husband Bill to all 50 states and 25 countries. She was especially happy playing golf and bridge with her friends.
She is survived by her sons Denis and wife Linda of Newton, Iowa; Jerry and wife Salie of Ithaca, New York; five grandchildren, Cintra Godfrey and husband Martin of Eagan, Minnesota; Jeff Wilcox and wife Julie of Urbandale, Iowa; Craig Wilcox of Alma, Colorado; Jeremy Wilcox and wife Libby of New York, New York; Rika Wilcox and husband Evan Johnston of Brooklyn, New York; step grandson Brian Jones of West Des Moines; step granddaughter Angie Carlson and husband Jeff of Westminster, Colorado; six great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren; special nieces Donna Nicholson of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Catherine Jackson of Hazelwood, Missouri; and Becki Gregory of Symrna, Georgia;
Lillian was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband William and son Bill; sister Nira Mease and husband Clyde; brothers Gerald Gregory and wife Rosemary; Francis Gregory and wife Maxine; brothers-in-law Paul Patton and wife Ann; and Jeff Wilcox and wife Lorine.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Family has requested memorials be made to Crossroads of Western Iowa and the Atlantic Public Library.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lillian’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillian Wilcox, please visit our flower store.
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