James Edward Wilson Sr., Binesi, (Thunderbird)

James Edward Wilson Sr., Binesi, (Thunderbird)

James Edward Wilson Sr., Binesi, (Thunderbird) was born on January 17,1924 in Cass Lake, Minnesota. He was 91 years old. His address is: 31168 Co. Rd. 39, Deer River, Minnesota. He passed away on June 17, 2015 at Essentia Health-Deer River.

He is survived by his family: Burton 'Luke' (Linda), James Jr. (Regina), Ronald (Sue), Daniel, Yvonne, Sharon Rodriguez (Bobby), Judith, Donald, and Roseanne. Surviving sibling: brother Darwin Wilson and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by wife, Mary Jane Donnell, parents -George and Maggie Wilson, sisters- Edith Gangyl, Margaret Nelson, brothers- George Wilson and Donald Fisherman, son-Byron Wilson and several nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Wake service will begin on June 19, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Ball Club Lone Eagle Community Center. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. on June 20, 2015.

James attended Deer River High School up to eighth grade. He married Mary Jane Donnell on August 24, 1946. They had six sons and four daughters. James entered the Airforce/Army on May 22, 1943 and was honorably discharged on May 12, 1950. His military occupational specialty was Seaman 065. He received a good conduct medal and four overseas service bars. After his military service, he started taking flying lessons in 1951 and earned his single plane-double engine flying license. His work experience began in the logging business with his brother Darwin. He also worked on the pipeline until he started as a laborer with Local Union 1097. He retired when he was 70 years old. He loved the outdoors which fulfilled his interests in trapping, bough picking, and most of all, wild ricing. He was also in a canoe derby from Lake Itasca to Minneapolis with his cousin Billy Wakefield and placed sixth after several mishaps like patching their canoe and going off the wrong path with wrong directions. He served on the Leech Lake Reservation Rice Committee from 2000-2013. He was a hard worker and taught his children good work ethics and how to be independent.

ARRANGEMENTS BY: Carroll Funeral Home, Deer River, Minnesota.