The late Oliver Wilson.

Oliver S Wilson, 90, founder of ex-Clark dealer Wisconsin Industrial Truck Company (WITCO), died on January 20.

WITCO parts manager Tim Wilson (no relation) said Oliver Wilson served in the US navy in World War II as a logistics supply officer before entering the materials handling industry. WITCO was one of the first Clark dealerships in the US and the first in Wisconsin state, Tim Wilson said.

Oliver Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Chicago, Illinois, after the war. Throughout his career he established many companies, including WITCO, Superior Equipment Company, Lincoln Contractors, Wilson Steel, Wilift, and Stack n Store Systems. The latter was merged into WITCO.

WITCO currently handles Daewoo/Doosan, Nissan, EP, Hawker Powersource and Bulldog batteries and chargers, Motrec industrial vehicles, Interlake rack systems, American wire products, and FuelMaker natural gas refuelling systems.

WITCO president, Oliver's son Doug, said his father "taught him well" about the materials handling business. Doug Wilson has established a sister company, WITCO International, to distribute an electronic control unit for diesel-powered vehicles in Asia. WITCO has branches in Madison and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Oliver Wilson is survived by his wife, Lucia, daughters, Lucia and Melissa, son, Doug, and nine grandchildren.