James “Jim” Bartlett Wilson, 97, died peacefully at his home in Glenview, IL surrounded by his four children. Son of the late Paul O. Wilson and Mary G. Wilson and brother of the late Robert, Catherine and Nancy. Jim married Elizabeth Noel Kiley at St. Edmunds Church in Oak Park, IL and was blessed with an extraordinary marriage of 54 years. He was the proud father of Elizabeth (Lizanne) Hensley, James B. Wilson Jr, Mary Delaney and Catherine (Cacky) Murnane and was blessed with four additional children through marriage: Todd Hensley, Ginger Wilson, Mike Delaney and Mark Murnane. His twelve grandchildren were his greatest joy: Bart, Reed and Sam Wilson, Cate Hensley and Margaret Hensley Khoshaba, Matt, Molly and Megan Delaney, and Kiley, Grace, Claire and Kate Murnane as was his first grandchild through marriage, Chris Khoshaba. He is also survived by cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was born on June 5, 1927, in Cincinnati, OH and relocated to LaGrange, IL where he was raised. Jim graduated from St. Francis Xavier School (1941), Fenwick High School (1945), Georgetown University (1950) and Michigan Law School (1952). He practiced law at Schiff Hardin, retiring after 50 years with a focus on corporate and real estate law. Jim served in both the US Navy (1945 -1946) and US Air Force JAG (1952 -1953). He valued public service and served as the Chair of LaGrange Park Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of Governors for LaGrange Memorial Hospital, and as a Director of the Siragusa Foundation. A man of deep faith, Jim was involved in both of his parishes: Saint Francis Xavier where he taught religious ed, wrote for the newsletter and was active in the Cursillo Movement. In his late eighties, Jim moved to Glenview, IL and loved being a part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help where he volunteered with the Sharing Ministry and served on the Steering Committee for CHRP retreats.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling, especially treasuring his 63 summers at Big Sand Lake Club in Wisconsin where he made lifelong friendships. Jim was known for his childlike wonder and curiosity. His joy and zest for life was legendary. His honesty, deep faith and loving nature were central to how he lived what he called a “wonderful life.”  One of his final gifts to family and friends was a book he published, “Jim’s Book of Lists” which is brimming with stories and photos of his life. Jim was blessed with his faithful caregivers for four years, Luis and Maida.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be on January 17, at St. Francis Xavier, 124 North Spring Avenue, LaGrange, IL 60525 with Visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. with Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/SFXParish.LG/?ref=embed_page. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Xavier, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago or Catholic Theological Union (for lay person scholarships), 5401 South Cornell Avenue, Chicago, IL 60615. Funeral Info: 708-352-6500.