Tim Wilson Sr. dies

Tim Wilson Sr., 60, who along with wife Diana owned and operated the Tim Wilson Farm in Martinsville, Illi., for many years and was a lifelong breeder, owner, trainer and driver of Standardbred horses, died Friday, July 14, after being hospitalized.

Wilson was born Timothy David Wilson on January 17, 1946, at Terre Haute, Indiana, not far where he would spend a good part of his life breeding, raising and training young Standardbreds. During his years as a trainer he conditioned 267 winners to over $1.8 million in purses and drove 184 winners to the tune of $503,142. His gray and green colors could often be found at the Illinois County Fair raceways as he piloted his own stock to victory. His best year as a trainer came in 2000 when he trained 36 to $272,691 in earnings. Over the years he owned nearly 400 horses and bred 196 pacers and trotters.

Tim was a graduate of Wiley High School at Terre Haute and received his BS and MS from Indiana State University at Terre Haute. He formerly taught at Gerstmeyer High School at Terre Haute and had also taught at Vincennes University at Vincennes, IN.

Surviving is his wife, Diana Childress Wilson: two sons, Timothy (Deana) Wilson of Crete, IL and Carter Wilson of Martinsville, IL; two daughters, Kimberly (David) Ward of Ft. Wayne, IN and Deone Wilson of Martinsville, IL; eight grandchildren, Teddi Ward, Patrick Ward, Elizabeth Ward, Rachel Ward, Tyler Wilson, Abbey Wilson, Darby McNeil and Grace McNeil, and a brother, Dan (Marge) Wilson of Marshall, IL.

Funeral services will be conducted 10:00 am, Wednesday at Pearce Funeral Home, 314 S. 6th St., Marshall, IL. Burial will be in the Bean Cemetary, rural Martinsville, IL. Visitation will be 2:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday and 7:00 am until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Harness Horse Association or the New Foundations. For more information contact the Pearce Funeral Home at 217-826-2349..

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