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| Wilson Rawls was born in the Cherokee Country in
Olkahoma on September 24, 1913. His parents were Minzy Rawls and
Winnie Hatfield Rawls. Wilson enjoyed hunting and fishing with his hounds.
Wilson married Sophie on August 18, 1958 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Wilson burned five manuscripts including Where the Red Fern Grows. Mrs. Rawls convinced him to write the story again. Wilson Rawls was not good at grammer, so he dropped out of school in the eight grade. Sophie edited the books. Where the Red Fern Grows was published in 1961. Wilson wrote another book called The Summer of the Monkeys that was published in 1976. Jay Berry from The Summer of the Monkeys was named after Rawls' brother. Wilson Rawls lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho from 1958 to 1975. Wilson Rawls Died on Dec 16, 1984 at the Joseph Hospital. The Idaho Falls Public Library is building a statue of Billy and his dogs from the book Where the Red Fern Grows. |