Victor Wilson

Victor Wilson, age 90, of Hanover, Kansas, passed away on June 13, 2026, at Hanover Hospital.

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, at Hanover Mortuary. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 19, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Washington, Kansas. Jill Duis officiated. Burial followed at 1:30 p.m. in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Hanover. Father David Metz officiated the burial.

The pallbearers were Jake Aumock, Andy Goeckel, AJ Goeckel, Alex Goeckel, Eric Wilson and Laura Gray.

Victor was born June 17, 1935, in Greenleaf, Kansas, to Victor Reed and Viola (Eaton) Wilson. When he was old enough to drive a tractor, he spent his summers helping his aunt and uncle, Ila Mae and Fred Brun, on their farm. Victor later lived with them throughout much of his adolescence and graduated from Greenleaf High School, where he played football and basketball. He attended Boys State and was on the championship basketball team. He was recruited by the University of Nebraska for football; however, he didn’t have the financial means to attend college.

Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country in Korea. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Washington County. During his military service, he was a member of a basketball team that won a Pacific championship.

Victor was married to Marilyn Peterson and later divorced. Three children were born to that union: Tracey, Teryl, and Reed. On June 12, 1982, he married Carol Joyce Swoboda, and together they made their home in Hanover.

Throughout his career, Victor worked for Northern Natural Gas in Clifton and managed the lumberyard in El Dorado, Kansas. He later became part owner and manager of the Washington Lumberyard. He also worked for Rounds & Porter selling building materials and, following retirement, continued working for Meade Lumber in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Victor possessed many talents and interests. A gifted craftsman, Victor designed and built three full homes, including an octagonal house that he was particularly proud of. He was always willing to lend a hand with projects and took great pride in creating handcrafted gifts for his family. As his children’s and stepchildren’s families grew, he built wooden rocking horses, toy boxes, and other personalized keepsakes for his grandchildren.

Victor enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also had a lifelong love of music. Self-taught on the guitar, banjo, and keyboard, he enjoyed playing and singing in informal settings. His passion for music was shared with and passed on to his children. Victor also had a passion for baseball, coaching multiple teams in Clifton, El Dorado, and Washington.

He was active in his community and, over the years, served as a Shriner, Mason, Mayor of Hanover, and volunteer firefighter. Victor was involved in numerous community boards. Civic engagement was always important to him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, on January 24, 2013; his daughter, Tracey Hamilton; his stepson, Michael Doebele; and his step-great-granddaughter, Emberlin Turner.

Survivors include his daughter, Teryl (Doug) Goeckel of Washington, Kansas; son, Reed (Chris) Wilson of Clyde, Kansas; stepchildren, Donna (Darwyn) Beckmann of Bremen, Kansas, Sheila (Dave) Meyer of Beatrice, Nebraska, Karen (James) Meyer of Hanover, Kansas, Lisa Brier of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Jodi (Scott) Sullivan of Flint, Texas; 25 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren.

A memorial fund has been established for the Hanover American Legion or the Washington County Resource Center/Food Bank. Contributions may be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary, c/o Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.