Thank you, haroldm and sbg11, for your responses to my quest for parents of Willis WILSON. I found this family in the 1880 census also, but I'm not positive they're mine. This was my first clue his parents were from KY. I just wanted to see if anybody had anything further on them. More possible clues I've found are a WILSON, James married to Elizabeth CRIST Jun. 17, 1864 Book A:147, in the Caldwell County, Missouri, Marriages "W" Surnames 1845-1922. Also found in Caldwell County, MO 1883 Pensioners on the Roll Certificate No. 37191 for James Wilson in (Post Office) Kidder for gsw (gunshot wound) left lung pensioned at monthly rate of 18.00. More clues, more questions... Thanks again, Jayne in Texas