Wesley Clayton Dix, 76, of Collinsville, IL, entered heaven on Thursday, July 24, 2025. He died at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO of cancer related to exposure to Agent Orange.  Born March 18, 1949, in East St. Louis, IL, Wesley lived a life of service, faith, and devotion to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Oliver and Betty (nee Hooks) Dix; a brother, Danial Dix; a sister, Jennifer Juwer; and his daughter, Amy Laura Dix.

Wesley is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Laura Jean (nee Fritz) Dix, whom he married on February 16, 1974. He leaves behind five children: Kathryn Ruth (Greg) Biallas of Phoenix, AZ; Amy Laura Dix – deceased identical twin of Kathryn; David Benjamin Dix of Collinsville, IL; Seth Michael Dix of Florissant, MO; Daniel Clayton Dix of Las Vegas, NV; and one grandson, Benjamin James Biallas. He is also survived by his brother, Cary (Debbie); sister, Elizabeth; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wes served honorably as a radioman in the United States Navy aboard the USS Oklahoma City ( sister ship to the USS Little Rock on which his father had served during World War II), and also in Vietnam. After his discharge from the Navy, he went on to work diligently for many years. He was a rural mail carrier for the Glen Carbon Post Office for nearly 20 years, and had previously worked as an office clerk for various trucking companies for 30 years. He was a proud member of Teamsters Local #688.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church in Collinsville since his youth, Wes was deeply involved in church life, where he sang in the church choir and frequently sang solos years 90ago.  For many years he got up at 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day to cook Thanksgiving breakfast for 100 people at church. He loved Jesus and was openly vocal about his faith.  Once described by a friend as "a Renaissance man" because of his many interests and commitment to learning new things, his hobbies included woodworking, crocheting, photography, biking, beekeeping, genealogy, solving crossword puzzles, and playing chess — passions he pursued with skill and joy.  As his children grew up, he delighted in starting family traditions for them to remember, such as yearly trips to Eckhert's Orchard and Pere Marquette; his annual New Year's Eve creation of family "hors d'oeuvres"; a week-long camping and float trip in Wisconsin with all his sons, and cooking chili for his family. He was a good, kind man who gladly lived a life of service and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

We rejoice that he now sees Jesus face to face in heaven, where he lovingly waits for us to join him in God's perfect timing.

Visitation will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 723 Saint Louis Road, Collinsville, IL. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., officiated by Rev. Zach Furlong. Burial with military honors will take place at St. John Cemetery, Collinsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Choir Ministry. Donations will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.