Dwena Jo Wilson, affectionately known as Dee, passed away peacefully at her home on June 24, 2025, in Payson, Utah, at the age of 68.
Dee was born on October 23, 1956, in Versailles, Missouri. She spent her early childhood in Tipton, Missouri, before moving with her mother and sister to Kansas City following her parents’ divorce in 1960. The family later relocated to Arkansas, and then back to Missouri, where Dee was raised by her grandmother in Rich Hill. She attended high school there until her senior year, which she completed at Metz High School.
On June 6, 1974, Dee married Micheal Hymer, and together they welcomed their daughter, Michelle, in November of that year. After a life-altering accident in 1976, Dee and Micheal divorced in 1977. In March 1979, Dee joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a decision that deeply influenced the rest of her life. Later that year, she moved to Provo, Utah, to attend Brigham Young University.
In March 1980, Dee met David Wilson, and the two were married just six weeks later in Springville, Utah. In 1981, Dee moved to Saginaw, Michigan, to live with David’s parents while he completed Basic and Technical Training for the U.S. Air Force. During that time, she gave birth to their son, Brice. The family later reunited at RAF Upper Heyford in England, where they lived until 1984 before being transferred to Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. In 1992, following David’s early-out from the Air Force after Desert Storm, the family returned to Utah. After David graduated from Utah Valley State College, the family moved back to Saginaw in 1995, and once again returned to Utah in 2000.
Throughout her life, Dee held various jobs and served faithfully in many church callings. She was a devoted leader and teacher in the Young Women, Relief Society, Primary, and Nursery. Her compassionate service and quiet strength touched the lives of many, often in ways she never realized. Dee had a deep love for helping others and was always thinking of ways to serve those around her.
Dee is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, David C. Wilson; her great-grandchildren, Finnely Nygren and Jackson Nygren; grandchildren, Pedro (Pete) Beltran, Promise Samora, Mikala Samora, and Enzo Wilson; children, Michelle of Springfield, Ohio, and Brice of Red Rock, Arizona; her siblings, Audi Canida of Belton, Missouri, Roberta (Brian) George, and Michael Barbour both of California, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Junior Barbour and Virta Mae Phenix, and her sisters, Donna Sue Barbour, and Elizabeth Gale (Canida) Galloway.
Dee will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her generous heart, and her enduring love for her family and community.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 586 West 1750 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Leave a Condolence