Former Wheaton College coach and professor Pete Willson '50 died Saturday, December 30. He was 89.

In 1964, he began the first of 10 seasons as an assistant wrestling coach at Wheaton. In 1974, he was named the head wrestling coach, a position he held until 1990. He returned to coach the Crusaders' wrestling program for the 1995-96 season. Additionally, he served as an assistant football coach for many years in his time as a Wheaton staff member.

Willson served as Wheaton's Alumni Field Secretary from 1964-68. In 1969, he joined the Wheaton College faculty, teaching physical education until his retirement in 1990.

 "Pete Willson's generous spirit and exceptional work ethic flowed from his loving relationship with Jesus Christ," says Wheaton College President Dr. Philip Graham Ryken '88. "As our head wrestling coach, Pete prepared generations of young men for faithful service to the kingdom of God. But his words of encouragement—full of messages from Scripture—touched many people across the Wheaton community, and far beyond. Although we will surely miss Coach Willson's unique personality, we believe that his life is safe with God in Christ, and know his legacy at Wheaton College will long endure."

Willson first joined the Wheaton College community in the 1940's as a student. He played football and wrestled in his four years as an undergraduate. Willson served as a team co-captain of the wrestling team in his senior season. He won four championships at the Wheaton Invitational and competed in three NCAA championships in his wrestling career.

Following his graduation in 1950, Willson moved to Lone Rock, Iowa, where he taught at Lone Rock Community High School from 1951-52. He also coached baseball and basketball there. After a brief hiatus from teaching, Willson returned to Illinois as a teacher at Blue Island Community High School from 1953-64. In addition to his teaching duties, Willson also coached the wrestling, track and football teams.

In 1964, Willson began coaching the Wheaton wrestling team as an assistant coach, alongside longtime coach George Olson. Willson's tenure as Wheaton's head wrestling coach from 1974-90 and 1995-96 saw many successes on the mat. He guided Wheaton to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championships in 1976, 1977 and 1981. Wheaton participated in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships 14 times in his tenure as head coach with 17 All-American selections in that time, including three Division III Championships for individuals.

Wheaton head wrestling coach Jim Gruenwald says of Willson, "After speaking and listening to 'Pete Stories' from his wrestlers over 30 years, I learned he was respected for his true Christian service, his mentorship, and his devotion to God and Christ. He leaves a big pair of shoes to fill."

Willson received many awards and recognitions through the years, including:

• He was the second coach inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame (1990)
• Inducted into the Illinois State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1979)
• Named Wheaton College's Alumnus of the Year for Distinguished Service to Alma Mater (1987)
• Inducted into the Wheaton Athletic Department's "Hall of Honor" (1977)
• The Wheaton Invitational was renamed the Pete Willson-Wheaton Invitational in 2000
• The Wheaton College wrestling room was named the Pete Willson Wrestling Room in 2010

Willson is survived by his wife June Coray-Willson '50. The couple has five daughters, four of whom are Wheaton graduates: MaryBeth (Elsen) '71; Becky (DeBlois); Judy (James) '76; Kathy (Zotto) '77 and Debbie (Bradley) '85; 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at College Church, Washington and Seminary Streets in Wheaton.