James K. Wilson

James K. Wilson, 72, of Chester, passed away in the Emergency Room at East Liverpool City Hospital on Monday, February 19, 2018, after becoming ill at home. Jim had been dealing with the ramifications of Parkinson’s Disease for the past several years.

Born on August 4, 1945, in East Liverpool, he was a son of the late Herman and Ruth Helen Zerkle Wilson.

He was a Rigger in the construction department at Weirton Steel before retirement. Following retirement, Jim began working as an associate at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester. He was a Christian by faith, and Jim was very proud of being a member of the Class of 63 at Chester High School, the last graduating class at the former school. He had many passions, two of which was attending his only grandchild, Marques McHaffie’s, sporting and academic events over the years, and the yearly trips to the beach with his entire family. He was mostly remembered as one of the original Chester gearheads. Jim developed a keen interest in the romantic era of 60’s muscle cars, for over 50 years he was a local and national drag racer. He was a member of the Classic Iron Car Club, and he was an avid bowler and golfer. Jim was an E4 in an artillery unit in the US Army during the Vietnam era, and he was a lifetime member of the Chester American Legion Post 121.

He leaves his loving wife, best friend, and caregiver during his illness, Sherry Smith Wilson, who he married on December 29, 1969. Also surviving is his only child, Michelle McHaffie and her husband Mark of Chester; his grandson Marques McHaffie, a student at West Liberty University; his sister, Sherry Emery and her husband Edsel of Chester; his brother, Steve Wilson and his wife Bobbie of Chester; his nephew, Michael Emery and his wife Lelia; and his k-9 buddy, Skooter. In addition, there is one sister-in-law, Karen Johnson and her husband Tom; and two nephews, Tom and Troy Vollberg.

Preceding Jim in death was his mother-in-law, Grace Rice; and his niece, Tracy Lugo.

Rev. Kara Rowe of the Chester First United Methodist Church will celebrate Jim’s life at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Friday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m. Interment, with full military honors by the Chester American Legion Post 121/VFW Post 6450 Honor Guard, and the WV. National Guard Honor Guard, will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-8 p.m.

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