James J. Wilson

James J. “Jim” Wilson spent his life championing St. Louis, engaging in community service and exploring as much of the world as he could. A respected attorney, devoted husband and father, and loyal friend, Jim passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, at the age of 87.

The only child of James E. and Rose (Rindler) Wilson, Jim grew up in the Fairgrounds Park neighborhood of North St. Louis, where he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and sold scorecards at Sportsman's Park, beginning what would become a lifelong love of baseball. He subsequently attended St. Louis University High School, St. Louis University and St. Louis University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1963.

Following law school, Jim began working Transit Casualty Company, but in 1965 was hired by the Law Department of the City of St. Louis, where public service became his passion and the defining focus of his legal career. During more than 30 years with the office, he rose from the rank of Assistant City Counselor to Associate City Counselor and was ultimately appointed to the role of City Counselor, a position he held from 1982 to 1993.

Jim's work for the City covered a broad range of issues, including initiatives to redevelop downtown St. Louis, expand Lambert International Airport and strengthen the City's finances. One of his professional highlights as City Counselor was arguing and winning a case before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the City in 1987. Alongside his public service, Jim also maintained a private law practice. Following his retirement from the City he remained involved in public interest litigation, and served as an adjunct professor at St. Louis University School of Law.

Jim seemed to know someone wherever he went, and if he did not, he soon would. He formed friendships in his neighborhood, professional life, volunteer work and travels, and maintained those relationships throughout his life. He also delighted in identifying mutual interests and "making connections" among friends and acquaintances in different circles.

He was a devoted member of St. Gabriel the Archangel parish for over 50 years, and participated in activities ranging from the parish school board to overnight holy hour duty at the church. Jim also volunteered for numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, and Catholic Charities Refugee Services. He was an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity as well as the St. Louis Zoo, and was a founding Board Member of the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, a position he held from 2002 to 2025.

Jim considered himself a lifelong learner with a strong interest in world history and U.S. politics. He enjoyed music and the arts, frequently attending performances at the Muny and Fox Theater, and of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He was also proud of his special guest appearances in the Archangel Players' productions of 1776 and Guys and Dolls.

Sports were another of Jim's great loves, both as a participant and spectator. He played baseball and soccer through high school and was a competitive tennis player and golfer for many years. He was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and a member of the St. Louis Browns fan club. Jim was also a founding member and driving force behind a longtime fantasy baseball league, and was actively strategizing with fellow team owners in the final weeks of his life. He enjoyed attending Billiken basketball games, but to Jim, any sporting event involving one of his children or grandchildren was the most important game on the calendar.

Above all, Jim was immensely proud of and devoted to his family. He shared 49 years of marriage with Doris (Prag) Wilson until her death in 2013. Together they raised five children and shared the joy of their eight grandchildren. He was fortunate to find love and companionship again with Mary Beth Layton, a grade school classmate. They shared 11 happy years of marriage.

A love of travel, particularly international travel, was a constant throughout Jim's life, and one that he enjoyed sharing with all family members. He believed no trip was too small to merit a plan and took great pleasure in organizing elaborate family vacations, using tools ranging from AAA TripTik planners to yellow legal pads and black markers. His meticulous research and unwavering optimism earned him the family nickname "Griz" -- a reference to Clark Griswold, the determined family patriarch played by Chevy Chase in the National Lampoon's Vacation movie series.

Jim's travels took him to all 50 states and seven continents. His journeys included volunteer assignments teaching U.S. law and government in China, Russia, Vietnam and Ukraine. While citing an adventurous trip to Antarctica as a particular favorite, in later life he took great pleasure in spending several weeks a year relaxing in the sunshine of Arizona and the Dominican Republic.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary Beth Layton; his children Kathleen Wilson and Sharon Wilson Geno of Washington, DC, Julia Wilson Pendleton (Michael), James M. Wilson and Laura Wilson Hoefler (Michael) of St. Louis; and his grandchildren Anna Pendleton, Adam Pendleton, Olivia Geno, Elise Geno, Ava Hoefler, Sophia Wilson, Ella Wilson and Colin Wilson.

He is also remembered with love by his nephews, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and his cousins and their families. Jim's legacy further extends to his adopted nieces; his long-time and much-loved mentee Montrell Ballard; the refugee families he helped sponsor from Vietnam, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and South Africa; and numerous attorneys and City officials he encouraged and advised throughout their careers.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 4 to 7p.m. at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street 63109.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 6303 Nottingham Avenue 63109. Mass will followed by a celebration of life reception at Royale Orleans, 2801 Telegraph Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center or a charity of choice. Memorial contributions made in Jim's name to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center will support the newly created James J. Wilson Environmental Law Student Writing Competition. https://greatriverslaw.org/

Please leave a fond memory of Jim for his family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.