John Earl Wilson was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on January 9, 1912, and moved to Beloit with his parents at the age of five in 1917. He was educated in the Beloit Public School System and graduated from Beloit High School.

After graduating from high school, Mr. Wilson began working for Fairbanks Morse and Company. After a number of years, he opened and operated his own business, Wilson Body Shop. He stayed in the body shop business for over twenty years.

John and his bride, Roxie Farr, were married in Beloit at Emanuel Baptist Church. John was the father of two children – a daughter, Mrs. Patricia Davis of South Bend, Indiana, and a son, Michael, of Brookfield, Wisconsin.

The owner-operator of Wilson Body Shop was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church. He served as Trustee Chairman, Sunday School Teacher, and Church Organist for 35 years. On July 2, 1972, John Wilson retired as Church Organist and was given a certificate of recognition, signed by the Reverend Dr. J. VanAlfred Winsett.

John Earl Wilson was active in several social and community organizations. He served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Southern Wisconsin Auto Body Association. He served on the Beloit Intermediate Youth Council.

He was a member of the Beloit Chapter of the NAACP and during his membership served as a Director of this organization. He served as Co-Chairman of the Brotherhood Week activities in 1970.

He was a Director of the Beloit YMCA and served as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. He served as Director of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Beloit. He was a member of the Beloit Booster Club and in 1971 was presented with the Beloit Booster Award for services to the Greater Beloit Community which contributed to the stature, growth, and welfare of the community and its people, presented by the former Beloit State Bank.

He served for three years as a member of the Human Relations Commission. On June 15, 1972, he was presented with a citation for outstanding service, signed by City Manager H.H. Holt and Samuel Loizzo, President of the Beloit City Council. He also served as Secretary of the Beloit Commission on Equal Opportunities in Housing.

John Wilson was one of the founders of the Quest Club. Besides serving as Treasurer and Trustee, he served five terms as President. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Past Senior Deacon, and Treasurer of the W.B. Kennedy Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Ionic Consistory 70.

John Earl Wilson died September 28, 1972, of an apparent heart attack.