Born June 8, 1905, J. B. Willson was the son of Howard A. Willson and Mary E. (Hilborn) Willson. His father and mother had arrived in Barnes County on April 4, 1883 on the same immigrant train from Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.

John B. (J.B.) Willson married Lorene F. Burke in 1925. Lorene was born November 9, 1902. They began farming in the fall of 1927, after working for others in the meantime. They were hailed out in 1928, but continued farming until 1964 or 1965. The "dirty Thirties" provided most of the hardships that their grandparents had endured.

On October 16, 1942, the Willsons moved to Leal where J.B. assumed the duties of postmaster, and continued farming on the side. Mr. Willson retired as postmaster on May 30, 1975.

Active in community affairs, the Willsons were involved on school boards, church boards, canteens, the Youth Recreation program and the church choir.

Kenneth Willson, the son, is farming with his wife, Marlys, at Litchville. Their children are: Becky Lynn, Bonnie Kay, Timothy Jon, Jodie Rae, and Jill Marie.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 269