Obituary of Yousuf Archibald Wilson

Yousuf Archibald Wilson, Jr. passed away Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 at the home of his son Steve. Yousuf (also known as Junie to friends and family, and “Boss” to his sons) was born April 7th, 1930, in Wood River, IL to Yousuf A. Wilson and Martha K. (Nieft) Wilson. He grew up in the Alton and Edwardsville areas of Illinois with his brothers: Norman, Richard, Meredith (Toots) and Robert and his sisters: Dean, Cleo, and Janet. He attended Alton High School, graduating in 1948. He served in the United States Army in 1951-1952 and was a Korean War veteran. Yousuf married Mary Wanda Ewen on October 25th, 1958, in Alton, IL and she preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by six of his siblings, and grandchildren: Adam Grigery and Pearl Wilson. Yousuf is survived by his seven children: Beth Garber (Thom) of Cleburne, TX, Barb Wilson (Bob) of Walla Walla, WA, Stephen (Tina) of St. Peters, MO, Dave of Overland, MO, Ginny Grigery (Daren) of Old Monroe, MO, Fred (Maria) of Golden, CO, and Peggy Wright (Ray) of Prairie Home, MO. His sister Janet Eveans also survives, as well as many grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, and other family members. Yousuf and Mary lived for many years on Belleau Creek Road in O’Fallon, MO and the family home he built can still be found there. The family attended Assumption Catholic Church before moving to Old Monroe in 1986 and attending Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was a carpenter by trade and owned his own cabinet shop for many years before moving into a new career restoring antique player pianos. Wilson’s Player Pianos was a family affair, with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids all roped into testers and audience members for his instruments, not to mention piano movers! Yousuf was a long-time member of the Automated Musical Instrument Collectors Association (Heart of America chapter), the Carousel Organ Association, and the Music Box Society International. He and Mary enjoyed traveling to organizational meetings and events, displaying pianos, “his-and-hers” monkey organs, and other musical wonders to fascinated passers-by. Yousuf was also an avid gardener, known for his massive tomato plants and the earliest tomatoes of the season. Yousuf was a family man, and enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by his 20 great-grandchildren and his 20 grandchildren: Nick, Carrie, Stacey, Kayleigh, Jessica, Marisa, Zachary, Austin, Alex, Gavin, Sarah, Meghan, Adam, Lucas, Pearl, Libbie, Cecelia, Josey, Georgie, and Will. His family will miss him greatly. Memorial donations can be made to AMICA International or Alzheimer’s Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.