Born July 26, 1929 in Pekin to Frances Albert “Bert” and Dorothy (Martin) Gray, she married Estal Howard on May 27, 1950 in Pekin. He died on May 22, 2007 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Penney Marie Howard; five brothers, Lester Gray, Jack Gray, Kenneth Gray, Gene Gray and Duane Gray; and three sisters, Frances Taylor, Grace Cook and June Harmon.
Surviving are two sons, Ron Howard of Pekin and Mark (Lisa) Howard of Atchison, Kansas; six grandchildren, Keri (Jesse) Cleaver of Peoria, Amanda (Jimmy) Davis, Katherine Elizabeth (Andrew) Campbell, Seth (Liz) Howard, Scott Howard and Alex Howard, all of Atchison, Kansas; six great-grandchildren, Emmett Davis, Kaysen Davis, Brilynn Davis, Callum Campbell, Brooks Campbell and Fisher Cleaver; and three sisters, Neva Koestner of Washington, and Karen Hahn and Darlene Fleeharty, both of Pekin.
A homemaker, Wilma was an avid shopper for bargains for the family.
She was a member of the former Second Reformed Church in Pekin.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor James C. McClarey will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be at Spring Lake Cemetery in rural Manito.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Hope Chest in Pekin.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
