Elroy William Wilson

Elroy Wilson, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend quietly passed away on September 5th, 2021 in Bountiful, Utah. He was born on July 28th, 1942 in American Fork, Utah, to C. Walter Wilson (d) and Elna Hacking Wilson (d).

Elroy spent his early years in Cedar Fort, Utah until his family moved to Bountiful when he was 15 years old. He went on to graduate from Bountiful High School in 1960, and became a member of the Utah National Guard Military Police from 1963 – 1970.

Married to Dawna Lou Butt in 1965, they had a lifelong friendship that began when their families vacationed together many years before. When they finally came back together as adults, they were inseparable for 56 years. Together they had three children; Shon W. Wilson (Shelli), Collin C. Wilson (d), Ryan E. Wilson (Nacole).

Elroy spent his days using his many talents as a fabricator, welder, auto part builder, machinist, and auto mechanic at his automotive shop “Elroy Wilson

Automotive”. He was especially fond of Buick engines, building tunnel rams, and adapting Mopar or Chevrolet parts to the Buick engines. He developed a new oiling system for the Buick race engines and raced Buick Stage 2 cylinder heads.

In his garage he kept a unique collection of cars (most of his favored cars were painted green) which included: a 1954 Chevy with a 455 engine, a 1958 Corvette, a Jeep Rod built with his race body and a 455 engine, a street Jeep with a Supercharged V-6, the race car, 3 1969-1970 Stage 1 Buick cars, an early 1967 Buick Regal (Turbo), a D2 Caterpillar, and several trucks and trailers.

He was the poster boy for many of the Skyline Jeep Club’s Ecker Hill Snow Rallies and also the Sand Drags held throughout the states of Utah and Wyoming. After rolling his “Wee Willy Wildcat” Jeep down Ecker Hill, he fabricated a mold and produced a 23-pound fiberglass body that was longer and narrower than the standard Jeep. The new competition Jeep was named “Free Spirit”.

Elroy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 5-years ago and sadly started losing his abilities. He endured 7 back fusions and had drop-foot in his later years.

He is survived by his wife, children, brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Marlyn Wilson (Denise), Woneva W. Myers, Victoria W. Chambers (Wayne), Sandra Wilson, Alec Wilson (Kylee), Kate Wilson, Brody Wilson, Rylee WIlson, 4-bonus grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren: Amelia Jo, Scottie Lou and Nash Everlee. As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents C. Walter Wilson and Elna Hacking Wilson, his son Collin C. Wilson, grandson Conor S. Wilson, brother Joseph Wilson, and brother-in-law Merrill Myers- it was a joyous reunion.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, September 10th, at Russon Brothers Mortuary and Crematory: 295 North Main, Bountiful UT 84010.

Viewing 12:30pm to 1:30pm prior to service. Friends may also call on Thursday, September 9th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery

The funeral service will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.