Willson, a two-time Illinois state wrestling champ for Proviso High School in Maywood, was a student-athlete at Wheaton in west-suburban Chicago in the late 1940s. He played football and wrestled in his four years as an undergraduate. Willson served as a team co-captain of the wrestling team in his senior season. He won four championships at the Wheaton Invitational and competed in three NCAA championships in his wrestling career.
After graduating from Wheaton in 1950, Willson headed west to Lone Rock, Iowa, where he taught at Lone Rock Community High School from 1951-52. He also coached baseball and basketball there. After a brief hiatus from teaching, Willson returned to Illinois as a teacher at Blue Island Community High School from 1953-64. In addition to his teaching duties, Willson also coached the wrestling, track and football teams.
In 1964, Willson returned to his college alma to serve as assistant wrestling coach to longtime coach George Olson. A decade later, Willson took the helm of the Wheaton wrestling program, serving as head coach from 1974-90 and 1995-96. Willson guided Wheaton to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championships in 1976, 1977 and 1981. During his tenure, Wheaton participated in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships 14 times in his tenure, with 17 All-Americans and three wrestlers earning NCAA individual titles.
In addition to his coaching duties, Willson served as Wheaton's Alumni Field Secretary from 1964-68. In 1969, he joined the Wheaton College faculty, teaching physical education until his retirement in 1990.
Willson's name now adorns the Pete Willson-Wheaton Invitational, the annual college wrestling tournament held each January, as well as the school's wrestling room. He was welcomed into Wheaton College's Athletic Department's "Hall of Honor" in 1977, and was named Wheaton's Alumnus of the Year in 1987.
In addition, Willson has earned numerous honors beyond his alma mater. He was inducted into the Illinois State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1979, and, in 1990, became only the second coach to be welcomed into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame.
Jim Gruenwald, Wheaton head wrestling coach for the past nine seasons, said of Willson, "After speaking and listening to 'Pete Stories' from his wrestlers over 30 years, I learned he was respected for his true Christian service, his mentorship, and his devotion to God and Christ. He leaves a big pair of shoes to fill."
"Pete Willson's generous spirit and exceptional work ethic flowed from his loving relationship with Jesus Christ," said Wheaton College President Dr. Philip Graham Ryken. "As our head wrestling coach, Pete prepared generations of young men for faithful service to the kingdom of God. But his words of encouragement -- full of messages from Scripture -- touched many people across the Wheaton community, and far beyond. Although we will surely miss Coach Willson's unique personality, we believe that his life is safe with God in Christ, and know his legacy at Wheaton College will long endure."
Willson is survived by his wife June Coray-Willson, also a 1950 graduate of Wheaton, and five daughters, also numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services have yet to be announced.
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