David Douglas (Doug) Wilson

David Douglas (Doug) Wilson was born on August 3, 1941, to David Scott and Roberta
Elizabeth (Bette) Barnett Wilson. Doug was born at his Grandpa Jack and Grandma
Sarah Barnett’s home in rural Knoxville. Doug grew up with his three brothers, Bob,
Denny, and Randy and was lovingly surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a
host of cousins whom he loved and had many fun times with. A highlight every year
until quite recently was the Barnett family reunion on July 4 where Doug enjoyed the
gathering of his extended family. He maintained lifelong friendships with many of
his cousins. 
Doug was a standout high school athlete lettering in football and track.  He received the
coveted black “K” for lettering 4 years in basketball. One year, the 4 x 400 relay team
from Knoxville qualified for the Drake Relays. While hanging around the stadium infield,
Doug and his lifelong best friend, Bob Bingham, sat on the grass ten feet away from
where future basketball great Wilt Chamberlain was setting high jump records for the
University of Kansas. Later, outside of the stadium, they encountered Olympic track
great Jesse Owens, dressed in a black suit and hat, sitting on a bench.  He invited them
to sit with him and visit. Doug graduated from Knoxville High School in 1960. 
After 2-3 years of dating, Doug married Twylah Monster of Pella on January 7, 1961.  To
this union, two daughters were born: Heidi Beth (1961) and Holli Ann (1962). Living in
Pella, Doug worked for $1 an hour sweeping floors for Schiebout Tire.  Soon he was
promoted to driving a truck and having a route selling tires for Schiebout.  Two
influential men, one in Pella and one in Knoxville, offered to pay Doug’s tuition at
Central College but, with a wife and growing family, Doug opted to stay at Schiebout.  
In 1965, Doug opened the second Vermeer franchise ever awarded globally in Olathe,
Kansas.  Through hard work, long hours, and many days on the road in his territory of
Kansas and the western half of Missouri, Doug built a successful business. In the
summers when they were out of school, Doug would often take Holli or Heidi on the
road with him. In the early 1970s, Doug and Twylah learned to share their Christian faith
using the 4 Spiritual Laws booklet.  One afternoon, they each practiced using the
booklet with Heidi and Holli, who both accepted Jesus as their Savior that day.  
In 1975, Doug moved his family to rural Knoxville. Doug worked as a global
ambassador for Vermeer before working with his friend, Lyle Pearson, at Lyle Pearson,
Inc., as a construction contractor. Doug, Lyle, and son-in-law, Kendall Robison, brought
reliable, skilled residential construction to the Phoenix area in 1985 with Hawkeye
Construction, Inc. Due to pain related to an automobile accident which made it hard to
do construction work, in 1989 Doug and Twylah moved to Sacramento, CA where Doug
accepted a position with the Vermeer franchise in that area.  Doug and Twylah enjoyed
Sacramento because it reminded them of Iowa.  They also made many dear
friends there and enjoyed exploring the wineries of Napa Valley, the mining towns in the
foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and the beauty of Lake Tahoe. 
In 2001, Doug and Twylah happily returned to Knoxville where Doug brought a little bit
of California to Iowa in the apartment he created for them on the Square. Doug was a
handyman for Iowa State Savings Bank.  Doug enjoyed renewing old friendships and
meeting new people.  He particularly enjoyed his coffeetime buddies at various
locations around town.  His passion, along with Twylah, was teaching Sunday school
and introducing others to the freedom found in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Doug
and Twylah also enjoyed traveling to visit friends and relatives around the country.  
During the last 25 years in Iowa, Doug became a recognized authority on the coal
mines of central and south-central Iowa.  He spoke to many groups of interested people
who often requested that he come back again to share additional knowledge. All four of
Doug’s grandchildren know that the obvious raised bed of an abandoned railroad track
surely means a coal mine is nearby! Doug also enjoyed learning about World War II
through books, movies, and trips to various battlefields in Europe. Doug
enjoyed vegetable gardening and golfing, and he was an avid Drake Relays fan starting
when his brother, Randy, competed at Drake. Following several conversations with
Twylah and his daughters, Doug moved forward establishing the Knoxville High School
Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. The Hall of Fame is the highest honor the
Knoxville community can bestow on an individual or team and, while honoring the
achievements and values of teams and individuals, the inductees serve as an
inspiration to current student athletes.  
Doug went to Heaven on Sunday, May 10, 2026.  He was preceded by his parents,
Scott and Bette Wilson; his brother, Dennis Wilson; and the love of his life, Twylah, who
passed away in July 2025. He is survived by his daughters, Heidi (Kendall) Robison of
Lakeside, Arizona, and Holli (Stu) Job of Marco Island, Florida. Grandchildren Amanda
Robison, Heath (Lisa) Robison, Natalie (Ross) Sieren, and Meredith (Andrew)
Waller.  Great-Grandchildren include Logan Robison, Melia Robison, Brianna Robison,
Tiffany Robison, Ethan Robison, Julian Robison, Coehn Robison, Leighton Robison,
and Beric Sieren. Doug found great enjoyment in knowing, and being known by, his
great-grandchildren. Doug is also survived by his brothers Bob and Randy (Diane)
Wilson, and several nieces and nephews. 
Memorial contributions have been designated to the Knoxville High School Athletic Hall
of Fame.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2:00
until 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville.