Family, friends remember long-time press foreman

Walter Wilson, a vital member of the Southeast Missourian family who retired in 1992, died Tuesday, June 1. He was 74.

Wilson was a man with a great deal of energy, always working at one of his many different jobs. He built his own house, ran Wilson Electronics, worked as a locksmith and, among other jobs, was foreman of the Southeast Missourian pressroom.

He began working as a driver for the Naeter family, previous owners of the Southeast Missourian, in 1949, not long after graduating from John S. Cobb High School. Wilson was valedictorian of his graduating class and was offered a scholarship to attend Lincoln University in Jefferson City but chose to stay with his family in the Cape Girardeau area that had been his home since he was 4 years old.

"His family came first," Wilson's son, Richard, said. "He figured that he needed to supply the needs of the family, and he gave up the scholarship."

Wilson married Mildred Johnson in 1950. Together they had five children. Wilson was proud, he told reporter B. Ray Owen in a 1992 article, of the fact that all of his children graduated from college. Wilson told Owen he never was sorry he became part of the newspaper business.

Gary Rust remembers Wilson as one of the key employees at the Southeast Missourian when Rust acquired the newspaper.

"He was a very Christian, very kind gentleman who would go further out of his way to help others than most," Rust, chairman of Rust Communications, said.

Wilson witnessed many changes during his 43 years in the business as newspapers moved from the hot metal era to the off-set presses that were used when Wilson retired.

Even after retiring from the newspaper business, Wilson didn't slow down. He continued doing the things he was good at and that came naturally to him, his daughter, Ruth, said. He went into real estate, restored houses and did electrical repair work.

Wilson was also kept busy as a very active member of his church and Harmony Lodge No. 40.

"He was too busy," Richard said, "he had so many things going. He liked working with people and kids. He actually thoroughly enjoyed helping people."