Background
Wilson, Delbert Ray was born on January 16, 1926 in Riverdale, California, United States. Son of Elmer Ray and Hanna Marie (Pelto) Wilson.
Wilson, Delbert Ray was born on January 16, 1926 in Riverdale, California, United States. Son of Elmer Ray and Hanna Marie (Pelto) Wilson.
Associate of Arts, A.S., Elgin Community College, Illinois, 1975. Bachelor of Science, Northern Illinois University, 1980. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Judson College, 1985.
Editor, The Reporter, McCook, Nebraska, 1949-1950; co-public, The Reporter, Times-Republican (Hayes Center, Nebraska), Pioneer-Press (Palisade, Nebraska), News (Haigler, Nebraska), 1951-1952; advertising manager, Daily Telegram, Norton, Kansas, 1952-1953; manager, The Star, Dos Palos, California, 1953-1954; general manager, Tribune, Holtville, California, 1954-1957; business manager, Desert Newspapers, Glendale, Arizona, 1957-1959; advertising sales representative, Union Tribune Public Company, San Diego, 1959-1960; merchandising manager, Union Tribune Public Company, San Diego, 1961-1965; general advertising manager, Union Tribune Public Company, 1966; editor, public, Evening Star-News, Culver City, California, 1966-1970; editor, public, Daily Courier-News, Elgin, Illinois, also. editor, public, Daily Journal, Wheaton, Illinois, 1970-1991; Chief Executive Officer, Crossroads Communications, Carpentersville, Illinois, since 1991; Chief Executive Officer, AmTec Learning Corporation, Elgin, Illinois, since 1992.
(The Story of Fort Kearny (pronounced Car-nee) on the Plat...)
Founder, chairman board Very Important Person Friendship Council, Inc. of Illinois, since 1972, DuPage County Heritage Gallery, Wheaton, since 1976. Board governors State Colleges and Universities, Illinois, 1981-1991. Trustee Judson College, Elgin, since 1971, Elgin Academy, 1973-1978.
Chairman board Elgin Sesquicentennial Inc. Board managers Sherman Hospital, Elgin, since 1971. Active Boy Scouts American (Silver Beaver award 1977).
Chairman board Christian College Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1983-1987. Board governors Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, 1983-1989. Member Illinois Veterans Advisory Council, since 1983.
Board directors Cornerstone Foundation, since 1984, Wheaton Eye Foundation, 1985-1993, Elgin Community College Foundation, since 1986, Summit School Foundation, since 1987, Illinois Community College College System Foundation, since 1992, Elgin United Way, since 1988. Board directors western division Junior Achievement Chicago, since 1991. Member Northern Star Publications Board Northern Illinois University, since 1988.
President Council on America's Military Past, Department Illinois. Member national advisory committee Educational Assistance, Ltd., Glen Ellyn, Illinois, since 1989. Board directors Sherman Health Systems, Elgin, 1989, Elgin Symphony, since 1989, Elgin Development, Inc., 1989-1991.
Chairman national advisory board Lincoln Train Project, Illinois Benedictine College, Lisle, since 1991. Consulting director, Sister Cities Association of Elgin, Russian department, since 1992, vice president, board directors Illinois Chapter Sister Cities International, since 1993. Member church council Metro Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, since 1993.
With United States Navy, 1943-1945, United States Air Force, 1946-1949. Member American Society Newspaper Editors, Nebraska History Society (life member), DAV (Man of Year 1978, Commander Illinois 1980-1982, editor public Illinois DAV News 1977-1987), American Legion, Sigma Delta Chi.
Married Beatrice Joy Daffer, October 5, 1947. Children: Jeri Rae, Vicky Joy, Julianne, Margaret Erin.