2019
Inductee
About The Wilson Boys
c.1940's
Contributor to the Sport....
The Wilson Boys: Norman, Jack, Bob and Howard. Growing up north of Springfield, MO on their grandfather’s farm. Growing up, hunting and fishing weren’t considered pastimes but a way of putting food on the table. They were allotted only so many shells, it other words, not for target practicing.
The Wilson Boys's Achievements
Growing up and reading books from authors such as Zane Grey, Mark Twain and others, Bob obtained a book, “Two Little Savages”, written and illustrated by Ernest Thompson Seton. There was a chapter about bows and arrows and Bob thought they could do that. The next day, using a draw knife, they made a stave they had split from an Osage Orange fence post. Bob fashion a bow and that was the beginning of the Wilson Boy’s archery adventures.
The Wilson brothers began building bows for friends and fellow archers in the 1940s and decided to start their business post-World War II. They began production in 1946 and In 1957 The Wilson Boys started building Black Widow Bows, crafting heirloom-quality bows. Many of these bows have set records, taken trophies and most importantly, created memories by building primarily target grade models. In 1976, the Wilson family exited the business, but rather than closing the doors, sold the company to Ken Beck who continued to build the Black Widow legacy.
Notes of Interest
• The Wilson Boys were Inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 2022, Class of 2019
