A Wilson Family Tree

Notes for Adair (Butch) Wilson



Yreka, CA, Siskiyou Daily News, 5 Oct 2000:

Adair "Butch" Wilson, former Yreka Mayor and civic leader, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000 at Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital in Yreka. He had been in failing health for several months.

Butch was born in Winthrop on Aug. 20, 1909. Winthrop (now under the water of the Squaw Creek Arm of Shasta Lake) was the site of the Bully Hill copper mine and smelter (one of the largest in the world).

After graduation from Shasta High School in Redding, Butch went to work for the Pacific Telephone Co. as a laborer. He began working for the Union Oil Co. in Arbuckle in 1933.

Butch married Della Ruth Larens on Sept. 12, 1933. They often spoke of the wonderful love and care extended to them by the Meyers' families while they lived in Arbuckle.

In January of 1936, they moved to Yreka where Mr. Wilson took over the Union Oil Distributorship.

Butch was first elected to the Yreka City Council in 1944 and served until 1956, the last six years as Yreka's mayor. He was re-elected to the council in 1974 and served until 1980.

Butch was a member of the Siskiyou County Planning Commission from 1948 to 1961. He served as chairman for six years. He was a charter member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.

Butch was a past president of both the Yreka 20-30 Club and the Lions Club. He was a member of the Yreka Volunteer Fire Department from 1937 to 1957. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as Master of the Howard Lodge No. 37 in 1947.

Butch was a Past High Priest of the Cyrus Chapter, Past Commander of the Mt. Shasta Commandry and Past President of the Siskiyou County Shrine Club.

For the last 14 years, he compiled the monthly financial records for the senior center in Yreka.

Butch retired from the Union Oil Co. in 1971. After retirement, he drove the school bus for the Yreka Elementary School District. He was an avid hunter, enjoying the outdoors with his family and long time hunting partners.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in June 1987.

Butch is survived by his sons, Norman of Fair Oaks and Bill of Grass Valley; his daughter, Linda Ellison of Yreka; a brother, Bill Wilson and his wife, Anna, Ruth's sister of Tucson, Ariz.; Ruth's brother, Martin Larens and his wife, Virginia of Gridley.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lesley Ghidossi of Folsom, Norman Wilson, Jr. of Fair Oaks, Todd Wilson of Sacramento, Shannon Wilson of Folsom, Jennifer Ellison and Martin Ellison, both of Yreka; and a great granddaughter, Kate Wilson of Sacramento.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m., Oct. 9 at Girdner Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery next to Ruth.

The family suggests donations in the name of Adair Wilson be made to the Shriner's Hospital For Children, c/o Donations Dept., 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA. 95817.



Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above.    ...Mike Wilson

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