WILLIAM A. WILSON OF ARLINGTON WAS BURIED ON TUESDAY

Pioneer Merchant Had Led Active Life In This County

William A. Wilson, early merchant of Arlington, died at his home late Saturday evening, following an illness which had confined him to his bed only a few days. Mr. Wilson, more familiarly know as “Billie P.Z.” was born on November 7th, 1866 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and in 1879 he came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.Z. Wilson, now deceased, to Arlington, then known as Belle Creek, where the father became engaged in the mercantile business, with branch stores at one time in Telbasta, St. Edward and Waterloo. After the death of the father, the business was incorporated under the name of P.Z. The Shoeman, and since the death several years ago of Guy Wilson, who had been manager of the store at Blair, the name of the firm was changed to The P.Z. Company, and continued under the active management of W.A. Wilson, assisted by his nephew, Allen W. Laaker. As a young man Mr. Wilson attended the school of music at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a musician of more than ordinary ability. At one time he was the instructor of music in the Fremont Normal. Mr. Wilson is survived by one sister, Mrs. J. F. Laaker, with whom he made his home, and one nephew, Allen W Laaker. Funeral services were held from the home on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock with the Rev. Ralph P. Rasmussen, assisted by the Rev. John D. Hammel of Valley and Elk City, assisting him.

The P.Z. Company owns four good business properties in Blair, one occupied by the Blue Goose, one by Hugh Cook and Martin Bertelsen and one by H J. Madsen and another by Si Johnson.

Mr. Wilson was a likable man and was much interested in civic affairs.

~~~obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave #43005401