Delbert Ray Wilson, age 80 of Jackson, MO, formerly of East Prairie, MO, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Delbert was born on September 1, 1945 in East Prairie, MO to the late Delbert Wilson and Georgia Margaret Hanor Wilson.

On July 23, 1967, he married Patricia LaRue Collins, who survives in the home.

Delbert was a 1964 graduate of East Prairie High School. After graduating, he was employed by East Prairie Lumber Company. In 1977, he purchased the Western Auto Associate Store and owned and operated the business until 1995. He was also a rural letter carrier until his retirement in 2008. In 2016, Delbert and LaRue moved to Jackson, MO to be close to their daughter and her family.

He was a past member of the East Prairie Jaycee Club, Kiwanis Club, and an East Prairie Housing Authority board member. After retiring, he became a regular with the Camel Club at K.C. in East Prairie, where the coffee was hot, the friendships were strong, and he and his friends gathered daily to discuss –and often solve – the world's problems over coffee. After moving to Jackson, it did not take him long to find a new group, joining the morning crowd at Jackson McDonald's, where once again, many of life's problems were thoughtfully worked through.

Survivors include his wife, LaRue Wilson, as well as a daughter and son-in law, Julie Margaret Wilson Johns and Troy Johns, and a grandson, Finley Troy Johns, all of Jackson, MO.

Also surviving are one brother, Ed Wilson of Hardin, Ky, and five sisters, Alma Crook and Georgia Kaemmerer of Florissant, MO, Mildred Moore of LaCenter, Ky, and Linda Chance and Jo Secoy of East Prairie along with a host of nieces and nephews.

A sister, Ruth Ann Morgan, and one brother, Frank Wilson, preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Chateau Girardeau and Crown Hospice for the care, compassion, and support they provided.

Memorial contributions may be given to Southeast Missouri Pets, 180 Weston Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie with the Rev. Dawn Walters officiating.

Interment will immediately follow in Dogwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be his nephews: Carl Lester Simpkins, Terry Crook, Dennis Chance, Damon Secoy, Glenn Wilson, Jeff Kaemmerer, Mike Kaemmerer, Alan Collins, Rodney Apperson, Kevin Wilson, Barry Morgan, and Thomas Morgan.