Name Bruce Wilson | Role Democratic booster | |
Died December 15, 2015, Columbia, Missouri, United States | ||
Bruce H. Wilson (March 18, 1943 – December 15, 2015) was a booster, fund-raiser and activist with the Boone County Democratic Party in Boone County, Missouri. He lived in Columbia with his wife, Nancy Wilson.
Wilson was born in New Bloomfield, Missouri in 1943. He was alternately referred to in the local media as a "longtime Democratic activist", a "local Democratic booster," a "behind-the-scenes Democratic booster," and a "major Democratic benefactor." The Columbia Tribune quoted former Democratic Central Committee chair Charles Christy as saying, "He raises more money for Democrats than anyone."
Wilson was active in the Boone County Democratic Party for much of his life. He represented Missouri's Ninth Congressional District as a delegate for Hillary Clinton at the 2008 Missouri Democratic Convention, hosted a steak dinner that raised $14,000 for Dwayne Carey's campaign for Boone County Sheriff, managed Donna Crockett's 1995 campaign to represent the Third Ward on Columbia city council, and served as campaign coordinator for Bernie Lensmeyer’s 1996 campaign to represent the Fifth Ward on the same council. Former Boone County prosecutor Kevin Crane referred to Wilson as "the secret weapon" of his successful 1994 campaign for the office. More recently, Wilson advised Stephen Webber's successful 2008 campaign for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 23rd District.
Wilson was also a prominent figure in the local Columbia community. He was the three-time winning bidder of the Grand Champion Boone County ham, auctioned every year at the Boone County Fair, winning the ham in 2004, 2006, and 2007. On all three occasions, he has donated the ham to another member of the community. In 2003, he and his wife served as Grand Marshals in the Boone County Fair parade. He was chairman of the fair's horse show in 2003 and served as a sponsor of the 2007 Columbia Balloon Invitational as well as a member of Boone County's "Yes for Better Sewers" committee
Wilson died on December 15, 2015, at the age of 72. He is not related to former Missouri Governor Roger B. Wilson.