WILLSON, Philip J. Sep 30, 1923 May 8, 2014 Philip Willson, age 90, of Omaha, NE passed away on May 8, 2014 at Hospice House in Omaha. Phil was born in Morning Sun, Iowa on September 30,1923 and raised in Fairfield, Iowa. Phil received his undergraduate degree from Parsons College in Fairfield and J.D. from Yale University in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and co-authored Iowa Practice, Vestal & Willson, 1975. Phil was a co-founding partner of the law firm of Willson and Pechacek, P.L.C. Phil received many honors and recognitions during his lifetime: The Iowa State Bar Association Award of Merit; Iowa Southwest Bar Association Award for 50 years; Iowa State Bar Association Community Service Award; Iowa State Bar Association President’s Award; the Iowa Defense Counsel Association Lifetime Member Award (2012), and Council Bluffs Heritage Award (2002). Phil was a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association (President, 1977-78), the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Southwest Iowa Bar Association, the Pottawattamie County Bar Association (President, 1963-64), Iowa Defense Counsel Association (President, 1969-70), the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, the Defense Research Institute, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a Fellow of the Iowa State Bar Foundation. His community services included the Council Bluffs Library Board; Opera Omaha; Council Bluffs Community School Board Policy Review Committee (2002-2007); Joslyn Art Museum Board of Governors (2004-2007); Joslyn Committee on the Collection 2004-2007 – chair of Subcommittee on Joslyn Modern Contemporary Art Committee; Past President Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce (1964); Past President, Council Bluffs YMCA Board of Directors; Past President, Council Bluffs Public Library (1962-1964 & 1999-2001) He was preceded in death by his parents, Hattie (Pogemiller) Willson and Leigh Donald Willson; first wife, Marjorie (Kilpatrick) Willson; wife, Barbara Willson; daughter, McLinda Lindy Jane and son, James Joseph Willson; siblings, Doris J. Willson, Roberta Willson, L. Donald Willson, Jr., and Patricia Willson. Survivors include his brother, Roger Willson (Maureen) of New York; friend, Sara Foxley; stepchildren, Victoria Hammeal (Clark) and David Hicks (Connie); grandchildren: Philip and Marta Willson; stepgrandchildren, Courtney Nardini (Kris) and Trevor Hicks; stepgreat-grandchildren: Alexis, Sydney, Delaney and Addison Nardini, and Madisyn and Morgan Hicks. SERVICES Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 4pm at Joslyn Art Museum. Memorials to Joslyn Art Museum, Council Bluffs Public Library Association, or a charity of your choice.
HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900
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