Peter R. Willson “led by example,” recalled his old friend, former DuPage County Treasurer John Lotus Novak.
Willson — who was born in Melrose Park, grew up in Maywood and graduated a two-time state wrestling champion from Proviso East High School in 1946 — died on Dec. 30 from kidney failure, according to a Chicago Tribune article published Jan. 21. He was 89 years old.
Willson’s daughter, Debbie Bradley, confirmed her father’s death for the Tribune, which noted that Willson was a professor and wrestling coach at Wheaton College, “leading the school’s wrestling team to three conference titles and coaching three individuals to Division III championships.”
