Leston (Les) Wilson, Jr.

Leston (Les) Leroy Wilson , Jr. 91, passed away peacefully at his home in West Des Moines, IA on June 29, 2019. Les was born in Des Moines on September 29, 1927 to Leston (Slim) Wilson, Sr. and Johanna Wilson. Following a tour of duty in the US Army, served mainly in Japan, Les returned to Des Moines and married the love of his life, Mildred (Midge) Wykoff. They spent 68 wonderful years together raising 3 children, Janice, Les III, and Steve. Les retired in 1984 from the USPS after 32 years of service and continued to live in Des Moines before moving to Lake Panorama. He loved square dancing and during much of their marriage, Les and Midge, could be found most Saturday nights floating around a dance floor. Les and Midge spent many years camping across the United States and finally spent the last 30 plus years as Snowbirds splitting time between their homes in West Des Moines and Pharr, TX. Most recently Les and Midge enjoyed spending time playing cards, talking, and laughing with their many friends in Des Moines and Pharr. If you knew Les you would know he could fix or build anything. If you needed help or advice he was always there, eagerly sharing his many talents and abilities. His story telling was legendary, he would draw you in as just another part of an ongoing conversation and then surprise, it was all just a long joke. We will miss all of the wonderful things he shared with us but mostly his love, honesty, and humor. Les was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Janice Lovell, brothers Wayne Wilson and Buster Davis, sister Shirley Sapp, and nephew Darrell Davis. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Midge, sons Les (Patty) Wilson and Steve (Pam) Wilson, son-in-law Rich Lovell, 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. Les has requested just a simple graveside service to be attended by family members only.