Carol Marie Wilson Stories

Mom said she and dad both lied on their marriage license.  Dad was only 20 but said he was 21 and mom was only 15 but said she was 18.  She was born Dec 24, 1932 and they were married Nov 21, 1948.  She turned 16 a month after they were married.  That’s a shocker huh?  Mom said she and dad were rehearsing their lie on their way to get married.  I have a picture of mom in a nice dress standing outside waiting for dad.  She had already picked a fight with her father and told him she was going to go and live with her mother in Omaha.  Her dad gave her $7.00 for a bus ticket, which they later used to pay the preacher.  Mom said she was depressed in the picture because dad didn’t show up.  She said she had started her period and was afraid dad wouldn’t marry her.  Apparently, Dad had gone hunting with Clyde Dethridge because the preacher couldn’t marry them until later that evening.  They were married at the preacher’s house.  Dad told mom her wedding ring cost $15.00.  I have a picture of Dad and Clyde holding a big bird pinned on the wall.  Mom said after they were married, she put her wedding dress in the little brown suitcase on the back of dad’s motorcycle and it fell off.  When they went back to get it, they couldn’t find the dress.  Megan has the little brown suitcase.  They were married in November and there was snow and ice on the road.  They didn’t make it to Omaha.  Below is the famous picture of Mom on the motorcycle.  She would have been 16.  Cathy Wilson sent this pic into a motorcycle magazine and they printed it.  I don't think mom realized how famous this picture would be in our family.  I think she made us all proud.
                             
Joy Craig was Mom’s best friend in high school.  They lived in Excelsior Springs, MO.  Grandma and Grandpa, Russell Orr McKinley, were divorced when mom was about 13.  She, Bob and Richard moved with their dad to the farm in Excelsior Springs, MO.  Russell Lee stayed in Omaha with Grandma, Ruth Lucille Wright McKinley.  Joy was the daughter of the Miller family that lived across the bridge from our house at 219 Suddarth Street in Liberty.  The Miller’s had lots of kids and were a poor family.  Poorer than us.  I only remember a few of the kids.  Rusty, Walter and Vonda.  Vonda babysat us occasionally.  Joy married Tommy Craig about the same time mom got married and they remained friends.   

                               

Uncle Richard McKinley Family Pics

Dean and Lela Sides with Sherry and Deanna.  They went skiing with all of us and were good friends with Mom and Dad and Uncle Richard and Aunt Nancy.  

I think these are Uncle Richards Marine buddies.  

This is Grandma Gray, Uncle Richard and Jackie in the middle.  I am so grateful he married Aunt Nancy.  

Uncle Richard stories: 

I remember when we all used to go water skiing.  I was skiing and when dad and uncle Richard dumped me and headed for a boat that was going around in circles just missing a skier in the water.  They pulled the man out and then they chased the boat going around in a circle and Uncle Richard jumped in and stopped it.  The driver of the boat had fallen in the water and the skier swung out and caused the boat to turn to prevent it from smashing into the boat dock.  Lots of people at the dock were watching as the boat was circling the skier. I watched from the water at a safe distance, and I just kept my ski up out of the water so any boats could see me.

Another story I remember was when Uncle Richard and Aunt Nancy were first married.  I think their first house was by the library.  Aunt Nancy was taking a bath or shower and she screamed when she saw someone peeping through the window.  Uncle Richard got his gun and ran outside and shot the peeping Tom.  I remember the article in the paper had a picture of someone pulling back the bushes and showed a black man on the ground.  I think Uncle Richard shot him in the leg.  I don't remember Uncle Richard getting into any trouble.  

When mom and dad got married, Uncle Richard was about 12.  Dad told me one time Uncle Richard got shot in the butt and he had to dig out the buck shot.  I think the farmer had abused Uncle Richard and he was going to shoot the farmer.  His dad, Russell Orr McKinley had farmed Uncle Richard out.  Grandpa had lost the farm and house gambling.  Mom and Uncle Richard came home after school one day to an empty house.  They didn't know where grandpa was.  Uncle Richard was already alone at the house when mom came home.  She said Uncle Richard was scared.  They found some old coats in the closet and laid on the floor for bed that night.

Links to Family Videos

https://youtu.be/xMs3GauT-8A
Wilson Kids Family Video
This is a video of Alan, David and Gloria with a rooster.  Great Grandma Wilson, Uncle Richard, Russ, Alan, David, Linda, Ricky and Aunt Nancy, Cousin Jon and Stacy at our house in Topeka, Patty, Great Grandma Wilson on our front porch with ?? and 2 little girls, Alan and David playing catch.

https://youtu.be/aQ90JpvSuOY 

Wilson Kids with cousin

This video starts with a visit to Eisenhower museum.  Alan and David at Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Merles. They were trying to ride Jinx. Larry's wedding and More video of Alan, David, Dad and Uncle Richard at Uncle Merle and Aunt Elizabeth's farm.  Also has clips of Ricky, Uncle Richard and Aunt Nancy, Mom and Dad, and Aunt Elizabeth and 1 sec. of Uncle Merle. Also has Alan with his Boa Constrictor. More of Larry's wedding.