Joel T. Wilson died on June 21, 2016. He is pictured at a party for his 60th anniversary as a auctioneer on Dec. 16, 2015 holding a certificate from the Clermont County Commissioners recognizing him for his service.

Joel T. Wilson died on June 21, 2016. He is pictured at a party for his 60th anniversary as a auctioneer on Dec. 16, 2015 holding a certificate from the Clermont County Commissioners recognizing him for his service.
By Kelly Cantwell
Editor

On June 21, the Clermont County community and the auctioneering community lost long-time auctioneer and friend Joel T. Wilson.

Wilson celebrated his 60th anniversary as an auctioneer in December at age 79. He had no plans to stop working, saying that he would continue as long as his health was good.

Wilson’s anniversary was commemorated with a party that included about 25 people and a certificate from the Clermont County Commissioners recognizing him for his service.

Wilson’s father started as a auctioneer in the early 1940s, so Wilson grew up in the business. He took a three week course and then graduated from the Reppert Auction School in Indiana on Dec. 16, 1955, at the age of 18.

“It’s in my blood, so to speak,” Wilson said in December.

In 1960, Wilson got his real estate brokers license. He primarily did estate sales and liquidations as on-site auctions. Wilson prefered the old way of holding an auction, as he was not much for the changes technology has brought to the field.

Wilson never had another job. He worked as a full-time auctioneer since he was 18. He is from Wilmington but moved to Clermont County since 1959.

Wilson enjoyed history and seeing all the unique pieces. His favorite part of getting ready for an auction was preparing the items.

“You never know what you’re going to find,” Wilson said.

He was also involved in the Ohio Auctioneer’s Association and served as an officer, director and in 2000, as president.

In addition, Wilson was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Ohio Auctioneers Association in 2004, one of the highlights of his career, he said in December.

“Everybody asks me ‘when are you going to hang it up, you’ve been around forever.’ I just laugh about it and say I’ m going to keep on going as long as I can. I really do mean it from the bottom of my heart, I love this business,” Wilson said when he celebrated his 50th anniversary in 2005.

Wilson is survived by his wife, LaVerne, his children and his grandchildren. His funeral was held on June 26. Memorial contributions may be made the the charity of the donor’s choice.