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(From Buchanan Funeral Home)John (Jack) Newton Willson went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 10, 2023. He was born February 20, 1925, in Elizabeth, NJ, to Albert Newton and Virginia (Beggs) Willson. He attended schools in IL and AR before graduating from Sheboygan High School (WI) in 1943, after which he immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps to serve during WWII.
After his discharge in 1946, he worked several jobs before enrolling in Wheaton College (IL) for two years, then returned to Siloam Springs, AR, where he worked in the machine shop at John Brown University.
It was in Siloam Springs that he met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) McIver, on June 8, 1952. He graduated from JBU in 1955.
In the 1960s, John worked at Rocketdyne in Neosho, MO, where rocket engines were built and tested for the NASA space program. After leaving Rocketdyne, he became an advocate of voluntary unionism and worked with the National Right to Work Committee, serving on the Board of Directors for many years.
John taught at the Vocational-Technical School of Crowder College in Neosho for over 20 years, teaching machine tool technology to high school and college students. After retirement, he continued to work part-time with local machine shops. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and watching Razorbacks basketball and football.
As an involved father of five, he enjoyed reading, teaching, and playing with his children. The family enjoyed picnicking any month of the year, and summertime tent camping and swimming at Beaver Lake.
In addition to his family, John’s greatest passion in life was teaching Scripture. Ordained by Prison Mission Association, he served as a volunteer prison chaplain at the Newton Country jail for over 50 years and pastored two small country churches. He published several articles on theology and wrote and graded lessons for Grace Bible Courses. He also corresponded with thousands of students, most of them prisoners, from numerous states and foreign countries.
In the 1960s, John worked at Rocketdyne in Neosho, MO, where rocket engines were built and tested for the NASA space program. After leaving Rocketdyne, he became an advocate of voluntary unionism and worked with the National Right to Work Committee, serving on the Board of Directors for many years.
John taught at the Vocational-Technical School of Crowder College in Neosho for over 20 years, teaching machine tool technology to high school and college students. After retirement, he continued to work part-time with local machine shops. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and watching Razorbacks basketball and football.
As an involved father of five, he enjoyed reading, teaching, and playing with his children. The family enjoyed picnicking any month of the year, and summertime tent camping and swimming at Beaver Lake.
In addition to his family, John’s greatest passion in life was teaching Scripture. Ordained by Prison Mission Association, he served as a volunteer prison chaplain at the Newton Country jail for over 50 years and pastored two small country churches. He published several articles on theology and wrote and graded lessons for Grace Bible Courses. He also corresponded with thousands of students, most of them prisoners, from numerous states and foreign countries.
In 2018, after a total of 55 years living in Neosho, John and Betty moved to Monett, MO.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his older sister, Barbara Willson; three younger brothers, Don, Fred, and Paul Willson; and one grandson, Adam Lee Willson. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty; one son, Mark Willson and wife Wendy; four daughters, Leah, Anna, Paula, and Sarah Willson; four grandchildren, Aaron Willson, Alayna (Chris) Roy, Abby (Ryan) Kaping, and Aileen (Joshua) Nelson; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service with military honors will be held 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett, MO. Pastor Frank Ward will be officiating. A private interment will be held at Roller Ridge Cemetery in Gateway, AR. Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Roller Ridge Cemetery c/o Linda Mudd, 1008 N. 9th Street, Rogers, AR 72756. Online condolences can be made at www.buchananfuneralhomemonett.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.
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