Joy Ruth Wilson

Joy Ruth Wilson passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at St. Helena Hospital in St. Helena, Calif.

Joy was a long time resident of Mountain Home and a graveside service will be held in her honor on Wednesday, April 8th, at 11:30 A.M. at her final resting place next to her beloved son Eddy, at the Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain Home, Idaho.

Joy Ruth Roberts was born on July 10, 1925, in Shirley, Ark., the oldest of 6 children. She has lived in Hedley, Texas, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Boise, Idaho, Mountain Home, Idaho, and she moved to Clear Lake Oaks, Calif., in 1980.

She married Vernal Bingham in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where her three children were born; Janice, Rosanna, and Vernal Edwin (Eddy) who preceded her in death.

She married F. Kay Wilson and moved to Boise, Idaho. In 1955, the family moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, where she helped to establish a long time family business, Wilson Motors. While there she also worked for the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census where she worked on the census that made Medicare a reality.

Joy enjoyed people and loved getting to know the members of the community.

She was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 54 years where she held many offices such as President, and State Poppy Chairman.

After moving to California she found her passion in life by volunteering for a hotline for battered women and children. She helped many women and children find shelter, safety, clothing and counseling until her health and doctors told her she needed to quit.

She was a master seamstress and enjoyed making almost anything including elaborate square dancing costumes. She was a dancing member of the Konocti Kickers and The Clear Lake Squares and she loved to perform in exhibition festivals all over California.

Joy will be greatly missed by her family. She is a cherished sister, mother, grandmother, great grandma and great-great grandma.

Family members include: Janice (daughter) and John Logan, of Boise, Idaho, Rosanna Hylton (daughter) of Clear Lake Oaks, Calif., Debbie (granddaughter) and Gordon Harris of Meridian, Idaho, Sheila Coiblentz (granddaughter) of Washougal, Wash., Leslie Hagnas (deceased granddaughter) 6 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren, with 5 living, and 1 deceased, Margie Bilardo (sister) of Ft. Myers, Fla., Garner Roberts (brother) Junction City, Kan., as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers donations in Joy's name may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 26, at P.O. Box 512, Mountain Home, ID 83647.