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                      ANGELICA CORPORATION
                      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                      --------------------


           This agreement ("Agreement") has been entered into this
2nd day of April, 1997, by and between Angelica Corporation, a
Missouri corporation ("Company"), and Alan  D. Wilson, an individual
("Executive").

                            RECITALS

           The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and
dedication of the Executive to the Company as a member of the
Company's management and to assure that the Company will have the
continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the
possibility or occurrence of a Triggering Transaction (as defined
below) with respect to the Company or the Operating Line of
Business (as defined below).  The Board desires to provide for the
continued employment of the Executive on terms competitive with
those of other corporations, and the Executive is willing to
rededicate himself and continue to serve the Company.
Additionally, the Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a potential or pending
Triggering Transaction and to encourage the Executive's full
attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event
of any potential or pending Triggering Transaction, and to provide
the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon any
breach of this Agreement by the Company or upon a termination of
employment either immediately prior to or after a Triggering
Transaction which ensure that the compensation and benefits
expectations of the Executive will be satisfied.  Therefore, in
order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.

                    IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

           1.1   DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following words and phrases, whether or not capitalized, shall have
the meanings specified below, unless the context plainly requires
a different meaning.

                 1.1(a)   "ACCRUED COMPENSATION" has the meaning
                 set forth in Section 4.5 of this Agreement.

                 1.1(b)   "ACCRUED OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(c)   "ANNUAL BASE SALARY" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 2.4(a) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(d)   "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of
                 the Company.

                 1.1(e)   "CAUSE" has the meaning set forth in
                 Section 3.3 of this Agreement.



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                 1.1(f)   "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means:

                          (i)   The acquisition by any individual,
                          entity or group, or a Person (within the
                          meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2)
                          of the Exchange Act) of ownership of 30%
                          or more of either (a) the then
                          outstanding shares of common stock of the
                          Company (the "Outstanding Company Common
                          Stock") or (b) the combined voting power
                          of the then outstanding voting securities
                          of the Company entitled to vote generally
                          in the election of directors (the
                          "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
                          or

                          (ii)  Individuals who, as the date
                          hereof, constitute the Board (the
                          "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
                          to constitute at least a majority of the
                          Board; provided, however, that any
                                 -----------------
                          individual becoming a director subsequent
                          to the date hereof whose election, or
                          nomination for election by the Company's
                          stockholders, was approved by a vote of
                          at least a majority of the directors then
                          comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
                          considered as though such individual were
                          a member of the Incumbent Board, but
                          excluding, as a member of the Incumbent
                          Board, any such individual whose initial
                          assumption of office occurs as a result
                          of either an actual or threatened
                          election contest (as such terms are used
                          in Rule l4a-11 of Regulation l4A
                          promulgated under the Exchange Act) or
                          other actual or threatened solicitation
                          of proxies or consents by or on behalf of
                          a Person other than the Board; or

                          (iii)  Approval by the stockholders of
                          the Company of a reorganization, merger
                          or consolidation, in each case, unless,
                          following such reorganization, merger or
                          consolidation, (a) more than 50% of,
                          respectively, the then outstanding shares
                          of common stock of the corporation
                          resulting from such reorganization,
                          merger or consolidation and the combined
                          voting power of the then outstanding
                          voting securities of such corporation
                          entitled to vote generally in the
                          election of directors is then
                          beneficially owned, directly or
                          indirectly, by all or substantially all
                          of the individuals and entities who were
                          the beneficial owners, respectively, of
                          the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
                          Outstanding Company Voting Securities
                          immediately prior to such reorganization,
                          merger or consolidation in substantially
                          the same proportions as their ownership,
                          immediately prior to such reorganization,
                          merger or consolidation, of the
                          Outstanding Company Common Stock and
                          Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as
                          the case may be, (b) no Person
                          beneficially owns, directly or
                          indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively,
                          the then outstanding shares of common
                          stock of the corporation resulting from
                          such reorganization, merger or
                          consolidation or the combined voting
                          power of the then outstanding voting
                          securities of such corporation, entitled
                          to vote generally in the election of
                          directors and (c) at least a majority of
                          the members of the board of directors of
                          the corporation resulting from such
                          reorganization, merger or consolidation
                          were members of the Incumbent Board at
                          the time of the execution of the initial
                          agreement providing for such
                          reorganization, merger or consolidation;
                          or

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                          (iv)  Approval by the stockholders of the
                          Company of (a) a complete liquidation or
                          dissolution of the Company or (b) the
                          sale or other disposition of all or
                          substantially all of the assets of the
                          Company, other than to a corporation,
                          with respect to which following such sale
                          or other disposition, (1) more than 50%
                          of, respectively, the then outstanding
                          shares of common stock of such
                          corporation and the combined voting power
                          of the then outstanding voting securities
                          of such corporation entitled to vote
                          generally in the election of directors is
                          then beneficially owned, directly or
                          indirectly, by all or substantially all
                          of the individuals and entities who were
                          the beneficial owners, respectively, of
                          the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
                          Outstanding Company Voting Securities
                          immediately prior to such sale or other
                          disposition in substantially the same
                          proportion as their ownership,
                          immediately prior to such sale or other
                          disposition, of the Outstanding Company
                          Common Stock and Outstanding Company
                          Voting Securities, as the case may be,
                          (2) no Person beneficially owns, directly
                          or indirectly, 30% or more of,
                          respectively, the then outstanding shares
                          of common stock of such corporation and
                          the combined voting power of the then
                          outstanding voting securities of such
                          corporation entitled to vote generally in
                          the election of directors and (3) at
                          least a majority of the members of the
                          board of directors of such corporation
                          were members of the Incumbent Board at
                          the time of the execution of the initial
                          agreement or action of the Board
                          providing for such sale or other
                          disposition of assets of the Company.

                 1.1(g)   "COMPANY" has the meaning set forth in
                 the first paragraph of this Agreement and, with
                 regard to successors, in Section 6.2 of this
                 Agreement.

                 1.1(h)   "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue
                 Code of 1986, as amended.

                 1.1(i)   "CURRENT TARGET BONUS" has the meaning
                 set forth in Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(j)   "DATE OF TERMINATION" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 3.6 of this Agreement.

                 1.1(k)   "DISABILITY" has the meaning set forth in
                 Section 3.2 of this Agreement.

                 1.1(l)   "DISABILITY EFFECTIVE DATE" has the
                 meaning set forth in Section 3.2 of this Agreement.

                 1.1(m)   "DISPOSITION OF A MAJOR PART" means:

                          (i)   when used with reference to the
                          stock of the Operating Line of Business
                          that is or becomes a separate
                          corporation, limited liability
                          corporation, partnership or other
                          business entity, the sale, exchange,
                          transfer, distribution or other
                          disposition of the ownership, either
                          beneficially or of record or both, by the
                          Company of more than 50% of either (a)
                          the then outstanding shares of common
                          stock (or the equivalent equity
                          interests) of the Operating Line of
                          Business, or (b) the combined voting
                          power of the then outstanding voting

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                          securities of the Operating Line of
                          Business entitled to vote generally in
                          the election of the Board or the
                          equivalent governing body of the
                          Operating Line of Business;

                          (ii)  when used with reference to the
                          merger or consolidation of the Operating
                          Line of Business that is or becomes a
                          separate corporation, limited liability
                          corporation, partnership or other
                          business entity, any such transaction
                          that results in the Company owning,
                          either beneficially or of record or both,
                          less that 50% of either (a) the then
                          outstanding shares of common stock (or
                          the equivalent equity interests) of the
                          Operating Line of Business, or (b) the
                          combined voting power of the then
                          outstanding voting securities of the
                          Operating Line of Business entitled to
                          vote generally in the election of the
                          Board or the equivalent governing body of
                          the Operating Line of Business; or

                          (iii) when used with reference to the
                          assets of the Operating Line of Business,
                          the sale, exchange, transfer,
                          liquidation, distribution or other
                          disposition of assets of the Operating
                          Line of Business (a) having a fair market
                          value (as determined by the Incumbent
                          Board) aggregating more than 50% of the
                          aggregate fair market value of all of the
                          assets of the Operating Line of Business
                          as of the Triggering Transaction Date,
                          (b) accounting for more than 50% of the
                          aggregate book value (net of depreciation
                          and amortization) of all of the assets of
                          the Operating Line of Business, as would
                          be shown on a balance sheet for the
                          Operating Line of Business, prepared in
                          accordance with generally accepted
                          accounting principles then in effect, as
                          of the Triggering Transaction Date, or
                          (c) accounting for more than 50% of the
                          net income of the Operating Line of
                          Business, as would be shown on an income
                          statement, prepared in accordance with
                          generally accepted accounting principles
                          then in effect, for the 12 months ending
                          on the last day of the month immediately
                          preceding the month in which the
                          Triggering Transaction Date occurs.

                 1.1(n)   "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date of this
                 Agreement.

                 1.1(o)   "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" means the period
                 beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the
                 later of (i) a date two years after the Effective
                 Date ("Ending Date") or (ii) the same date as the
                 Ending Date of any succeeding fiscal year during
                 which notice is given by either party (as described
                 in Section 1.1(aa) of this Agreement) of such
                 party's intent not to renew this Agreement.

                 1.1(p)   "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities
                 Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                 1.1(q)   "EXCISE TAX" has the meaning set forth in
                 Section 4.2(f) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(r)   "GOOD REASON" has the meaning set forth
                 in Section 3.4 of this Agreement.

                 1.1(s)   "GROSS-UP PAYMENT" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 4.2(f) of this Agreement.

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                 1.1(t)   "INCENTIVE BONUS" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(u)   "INCUMBENT BOARD" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 1.1(f)(ii) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(v)   "NOTICE OF TERMINATION" has the meaning
                 set forth in Section 3.5 of this Agreement.

                 1.1(w)   "OPERATING LINE OF BUSINESS" means the
                 following line of business of the Company, whether
                 operated as a division or as a separate subsidiary:
                 textile and laundry services, which provide
                 textiles and laundry service, principally to health
                 care institutions, and, to a more limited extent,
                 to hotels, casinos, motels and restaurants in or
                 near major metropolitan areas of the United States.

                 1.1(x)   "OTHER BENEFITS" has the meaning set
                 forth in Section 4.1(c) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(y)   "OUTSTANDING COMPANY COMMON STOCK" has
                 the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(f)(i) of this
                 Agreement.

                 1.1(z)   "OUTSTANDING COMPANY VOTING SECURITIES"
                 has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(f)(i) of
                 this Agreement.

                 1.1(aa)  "PAYMENT" has the meaning set forth in
                 Section 4.2(f) of this Agreement.

                 1.1(bb)  "PERSON" means any "person" within the
                 meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange
                 Act.

                 1.1(cc)  "TERM" means the period that begins on
                 the Effective Date and ends on the earlier of: (i)
                 the Date of Termination as defined in Section 3.6
                 of this Agreement, or (ii) the close of business on
                 the later of the Ending Date of the initial term or
                 any renewal term as set forth in Section 2.1 of
                 this Agreement.

                 1.1(dd)  "TRIGGERING TRANSACTION" means (i) a
                 Change in Control of the Company or (ii) a
                 Disposition of a Major Part of the Operating Line
                 of Business.

                 1.1(ee)  "TRIGGERING TRANSACTION DATE" shall mean
                 the date of the Triggering Transaction.

           1.2   GENDER AND NUMBER.  When appropriate, pronouns in
this Agreement used in the masculine gender include the feminine
gender, words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
plural include the singular.

           1.3   HEADINGS.  All headings in this Agreement are
included solely for ease of reference and do not bear on the
interpretation of the text.  Accordingly, as used in this
Agreement, the terms "Article" and "Section" mean the text that
accompanies the specified Article or Section of the Agreement.

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           1.4   APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri,
without reference to its conflict of law principles.

SECTION 2: TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.

           2.1   PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT.  The Executive shall remain in
the employ of the Company throughout the Term of this Agreement in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  This
Agreement will automatically renew for annual one-year periods
unless either party gives the other written notice, within the
Ending Date of the initial term or any succeeding term, of such
party's intent not to renew this Agreement.

           2.2   POSITIONS AND DUTIES.

                 2.2(a)   Throughout the Term of this Agreement, the
           Executive shall serve as President of the Operating Line
           of Business, subject to the reasonable direction of the
           Board and the Chief Executive Officer.  The Executive
           shall have such authority and shall perform such duties
           as are substantially similar to the authority and duties
           assigned to him on the Effective Date, subject to the
           control exercised by the President of the Operating Line
           of Business and the Board and the Chief Executive Officer
           from time to time.

                 2.2(b)   Throughout the Term of this Agreement (but
           excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which
           the Executive is entitled), the Executive shall devote
           reasonable attention and time during normal business
           hours to the business and affairs of the Company and
           shall use his reasonable best efforts to perform
           faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities as are
           assigned to him under or in accordance with this
           Agreement; provided that, it shall not be a violation of
           this paragraph for the Executive to (i) serve on
           corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees,
           (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements or
           (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such
           activities do not significantly interfere with the
           performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
           employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement
           or violate the Company's conflict of interest policy as
           in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date.

           2.3   SITUS OF EMPLOYMENT. Throughout the Term of this
Agreement, the Executive's services shall be performed at the
location where the Executive was employed immediately prior to the
Effective Date, or any office of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to which Executive shall be transferred.

           2.4   COMPENSATION.

                 2.4(a)   ANNUAL BASE SALARY.  For the first
           calendar year within the Term of this Agreement, the
           Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual
           Base Salary") of One hundred sixty thousand dollars
           ($160,000), which shall be paid in equal or substantially
           equal semi-monthly installments.  During the Term of this
           Agreement, the Annual Base Salary payable to the Executive
           shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased
           at the discretion of the Board or the Chief Executive
           Officer but shall not be reduced.

                 2.4(b)   INCENTIVE BONUSES.  In addition to Annual
           Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded the
           opportunity to earn an incentive bonus on an annual basis
           ("Incentive

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           Bonus") under any incentive compensation plan which
           are generally available to other similarly situated
           executives of the Company.  During the Term of this
           Agreement, the annual target Incentive Bonus which the
           Executive will have the opportunity to earn shall be
           reviewed at least annually and be increased at the
           discretion of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.


                 2.4(c)   WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS.  Throughout the
           Term of this Agreement (and thereafter), the Executive
           and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall
           be eligible for participation in and shall receive all
           benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies
           and programs provided by the Company (including, without
           limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability,
           salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental
           death and travel accident insurance plans and programs)
           to the extent generally available to other similarly
           situated executives of the Company.

                 2.4(d)   EXPENSES.  Throughout the Term of this
           Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
           prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred
           by the Executive in accordance with the policies,
           practices and procedures generally applicable to other
           similarly situated executives of the Company.

                 2.4(e)   OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF.  Throughout the
           Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled
           to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings
           and other appointments, and to personal secretarial and
           other assistance, at least equal to those generally
           provided to other similarly situated executives of the
           Company.

                 2.4(f)   VACATION.  Throughout the Term of this
           Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to paid
           vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs
           and practices generally provided with respect to other
           similarly situated executives of the Company.

SECTION 3: TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

           3.1   DEATH.  The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment
Period.

           3.2   DISABILITY.  If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set
forth below), the Company may give to the Executive written notice
in accordance with Section 7.2 of its intention to terminate the
Executive's employment.  In such event, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the thirtieth (30th)
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that, within the thirty (30) days after
such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties.  For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall mean that the Executive has been
unable to perform the services required of the Executive hereunder
on a full-time basis for a period of one hundred eighty (180)
consecutive business days by reason of a physical and/or mental
condition.  "Disability" shall be deemed to exist when certified by
a physician selected by the Company and acceptable to the Executive
or the Executive's legal representative (such agreement as to
acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).  The Executive will
submit to such medical or psychiatric examinations and tests as
such physician deems necessary to make any such Disability
determination.

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           3.3   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.  The Company may terminate
the Executive's employment during the Employment Period for
"Cause," which shall mean termination based upon: (i) the
Executive's willful and continued failure to substantially perform
his duties with the Company (other than as a result of incapacity
due to physical or mental condition), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the
Company, which specifically identifies the manner in which the
Executive has not substantially performed his duties; (ii) the
Executive's commission of an act constituting a criminal offense
involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or breach of trust; or (iii)
the Executive's material breach of any provision of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section, no act, or failure to act on the
Executive's part, shall be considered "willful" unless done, or
omitted to be done, without good faith and without reasonable
belief that the act or omission was in the best interest of the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be
deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until (i) he
receives a Notice of Termination from the Company, (ii) he is given
the opportunity, with counsel, to be heard before the Board, and
(iii) the Board finds, in its good faith opinion, the Executive was
guilty of the conduct set forth in the Notice of Termination.

           3.4   GOOD REASON.  The Executive may terminate his
employment with the Company for "Good Reason," which shall mean:

                 3.4(a)   the assignment to the Executive of any
           duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's
           position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
           requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
           contemplated by Section 2.2(a) or any other action by the
           Company which results in a material diminution in such
           position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
           excluding for this purpose any action not taken in bad
           faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
           receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                 3.4(b)   (i) the failure by the Company to continue
           in effect any benefit or compensation plan, stock
           ownership plan, life insurance plan, health and accident
           plan or disability plan to which the Executive is
           entitled as specified in Section 2.4, (ii) the taking of
           any action by the Company which would adversely affect
           the Executive's participation in, or materially reduce
           the Executive's benefits under, any plans described in
           Section 2.4, or (iii) the failure by the Company to
           provide the Executive with paid vacation to which the
           Executive is entitled as described in Section 2.4(f);

                 3.4(c)   a material breach by the Company of any
           provision of this Agreement;

                 3.4(d)   any purported termination by the Company
           of the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly
           permitted by this Agreement; or

                 3.4(e)   within a period ending at the close of
           business on the date two (2) years after the Triggering
           Transaction Date of any Change in Control, if the Company
           has failed to comply with and satisfy Section 6.2 on or
           after such Triggering Transaction Date.

                 For purposes of this Section, any good faith
           determination of "Good Reason" made by the Executive
           shall be conclusive.

           3.5   NOTICE OF TERMINATION.  Any termination by the
Company for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for Good
Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other
party, given in accordance with Section 7.2.  For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means

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<PAGE> 9
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii)
if the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 3.6 hereof) is
other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
termination date (which date shall be not more than fifteen (15)
days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause
shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder
or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights
hereunder.

           3.6   DATE OF TERMINATION.  "Date of Termination" means
(i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Date of Termination
shall be the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any
later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of
the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be,
or (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
other than for Cause, death or Disability, the Date of Termination
shall be the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination; provided
that if within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is
given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the
other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is
finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the
parties, or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction (the time for appeal therefrom having
expired and no appeal having been perfected).

SECTION 4: CERTAIN BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION.

           4.1   TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE NOT IN CONNECTION WITH
A TRIGGERING TRANSACTION.  If, prior to a Triggering Transaction
during the Employment Period (except in the event that one of the
following terminations of employment occurs within the six-month
period prior to the earlier of (a) a Triggering Transaction or (b)
the execution of a definitive agreement or contract that eventually
results in a Triggering Transaction, which shall result in the
payment of severance benefits set forth in Section 4.2 of this
Agreement), the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment
without Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the payment of
the benefits provided below as of the Date of Termination:

                 4.1(a)   Accrued Obligations.  Within thirty (30)
                          -------------------
           days after the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay
           to the Executive the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual
           Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent
           not previously paid, and (2) any accrued vacation pay; in
           each case to the extent not previously paid (the "Accrued
           Obligations").

                 In addition, on the date that Incentive Bonuses are
           paid to other peer executives for the year in which the
           Executive's employment is terminated, the Executive will
           be paid an amount equal to the product of the Current
           Target Bonus multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
           which is the number of days during the fiscal year for
           which the Incentive Bonus is paid prior to the Date of
           Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  For
           purposes of this Agreement, the term "Current Target
           Bonus" means the Incentive Bonus that would have been
           paid to the Executive for the fiscal year in which the
           termination of employment occurred, if the Executive's
           employment had not been so terminated and the Executive
           had earned 100% of the Incentive Bonus that he could have
           earned for such year.

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                 4.1(b)   Severance Payment.  If the Date of
                          -----------------
           Termination occurs within two years after the date
           hereof, within thirty (30) days after the Date of
           Termination, the Company shall pay to the Executive as
           severance pay in a lump sum, in cash, an amount equal to
           (i) one-twelfth the Executive's then-current Annual Base
           Salary times (ii) twenty-four (24).

                 4.1(c)   Other Benefits.  To the extent not
                          --------------
           previously paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay
           or provide to the Executive and/or the Executive's family
           any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or
           provided for which the Executive and/or the Executive's
           family is eligible to receive pursuant to this Agreement
           and under any plan, program, policy or practice or
           contract or agreement of the Company as those provided
           generally to other peer executives and their families
           ("Other Benefits").

           4.2   BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION IN CONNECTION WITH A
TRIGGERING TRANSACTION. If (a) a Triggering Transaction occurs
during the Employment Period and within two years after the
Triggering Transaction Date (i) the Company shall terminate the
Executive's employment without Cause, or (ii) the Executive shall
terminate employment with the Company for Good Reason, or,
                                                       --
alternatively, (b) if one of the above-described terminations of
employment occurs within the six-month period prior to the earlier
of (i) a Triggering Transaction or (ii) the execution of a
definitive agreement or contract that eventually results in a
Triggering Transaction, then the Executive shall become entitled to
the payment of the benefits as provided below as of either (y) the
Date of Termination, in the case where the sequence of the
requisite events is as set forth in subsection (a) above or (z) the
Triggering Transaction Date, in the case where the sequence of the
requisite events occurred as set forth in subsection (b) above (the
relevant date for purposes of entitlement to the benefits as set
forth in this Section 4.2 is hereinafter referred to as the
"Entitlement Date"):

                 4.2(a)   Accrued Obligations.  Within thirty (30)
                          -------------------
           days after the Entitlement Date, the Company shall pay to
           the Executive the Accrued Obligations.

                 In addition, on the date that Incentive Bonuses are
           paid to other peer executives for the year in which the
           Executive's employment is terminated, the Executive will
           be paid an amount equal to the product of the Current
           Target Bonus multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
           which is the number of days during the fiscal year for
           which the Incentive Bonus is paid prior to the Date of
           Termination and the denominator of which is 365.

                 4.2(b)   Severance Amount.  Within thirty (30) days
                          ----------------
           after the Entitlement Date, the Company shall pay to the
           Executive as severance pay in a lump sum in cash, an
           amount equal to two times an amount equal to his then-
           current Annual Base Salary and Current Target Bonus. In
           the event such severance amount is payable pursuant to
           this Section on account of a Triggering Transaction, and
           the Executive is entitled to a benefit under Article IV
           of the Angelica Corporation Management Retention and
           Incentive Plan (the "Management Retention Plan") on
           account of a Change in Control (as defined in the
           Management Retention Plan), the Executive shall be
           entitled to the larger of the amounts computed pursuant
           to this Section and the amounts computed pursuant to the
           Management Retention Plan without regard to this Section.
           Such benefit shall be in lieu of any other benefit
           payable pursuant to the Management Retention Plan.

                 4.2(c)   Stock Options.  To the extent not
                          -------------
           otherwise provided for under the terms of the Company's
           stock option plans or the Executive's stock option
           agreements, all stock

                                    -10-
<PAGE> 11
           options held by the Executive that have not expired in
           accordance with their respective terms shall vest and
           become fully exercisable as of the Entitlement Date.

                 4.2(d)   Stock Bonus and Incentive Plan Shares.  To
                          -------------------------------------
           the extent not otherwise provided for under the terms of
           the Company's Stock Bonus and Incentive Plan, all
           "Matching Shares" (as defined in such plan) held by or
           for the benefit of the Executive that are unvested and
           restricted at the Date of Termination shall vest and
           become unrestricted as of the Entitlement Date and all
           "Elected Shares" (as defined in such plan) held by or for
           the benefit of the Executive that are restricted at the
           Date of Termination shall become unrestricted as of the
           Entitlement Date.

                 4.2(e)   Retirement Agreement.  The benefit payable
                          --------------------
           to the Executive under the Retirement Agreement by and
           between the Executive and the Company dated August 25,
           1987 (the "Retirement Agreement") shall be determined on
           the basis of years of service with the Company the
           Executive would have completed if he had continued to be
           employed by the Company until attained age 65; provided
           such additional imputed service shall not exceed five (5)
           years. Payments shall be made in accordance with the
           terms of the Retirement Agreement.

                 4.2(f)   Other Benefits.  To the extent not
                          --------------
           previously paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay
           or provide to the Executive and/or the Executive's family
           any Other Benefits required to be paid or provided for
           which the Executive and/or the Executive's family is
           eligible to receive pursuant to this Agreement and under
           any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
           agreement of the Company as those provided generally to
           other peer executives and their families.

                 Any provision in any plan or program of the Company
           in which Executive is a participant that precludes
           Executive from competing with the Company, or denies
           Executive entitlement to a benefit in the event Executive
           does compete with the Company, shall be null and void.

                 4.2(g)   Excess Parachute Payment.  Anything in
                          ------------------------
           this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
           event that it shall be determined that any payment or
           distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of
           Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
           distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
           otherwise but determined without regard to any additional
           payments required under this Section (a "Payment") would
           be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999
           (or any successor provision) or any interest or penalties
           are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise
           tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
           penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as
           the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled
           to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment")
           in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of
           all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed
           with respect to such taxes), including, without
           limitation, any income taxes (and any interest or
           penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax
           imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains
           an amount of the Gross-Up Payment on an after-tax basis
           equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment.

           The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
           claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if
           successful, would require the payment by the Company of
           the Gross-Up

                                    -11-
<PAGE> 12
           Payment.  Such notification shall be given as soon as
           practicable but no later than ten business days after the
           Executive is informed in writing of such claim by the
           Internal Revenue Service and the notification shall
           apprise the Company of the nature of the claim and the
           date on which such claim is required to be paid.  The
           Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the
           expiration of a 30-day period following the date on which
           the Executive has given such notification to the Company
           (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
           payment of taxes with respect to such claim is required).
           If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior
           to the expiration of such period that it desires to
           contest such claim, the Executive shall cooperate with
           the Company in so contesting; provided, however, that the
                                         -----------------
           Company shall bear and pay all costs and expenses
           (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
           connection with such contest, on an after-tax basis to
           the Executive.

           4.3   DEATH.  If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period
(either prior or subsequent to a Triggering Transaction), this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement, other than
for (i) payment of Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section
4.1(a)) (which shall be paid to the Executive's estate or
beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty
(30) days of the Date of Termination) and (ii) the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 4.1(c)),
including death benefits pursuant to the terms of any plan, policy,
or arrangement of the Company.

           4.4   DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the
Employment Period (either prior or subsequent to a Triggering
Transaction), this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of Accrued
Obligations (as defined in Section 4.1(a)) (which shall be paid to
the Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the
Date of Termination) and (ii) the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits (as defined in Section 4.1(c)) including Disability
benefits pursuant to the terms of any plan, policy or arrangement
of the Company.

           4.5   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE; OTHER THAN GOOD REASON.  If
the Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the
Employment Period (either prior or subsequent to a Triggering
Transaction), this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to
the Executive his Accrued Compensation (as defined in this
Section).  If the Executive terminates employment with the Company
during the Employment Period (excluding a termination for Good
Reason), this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executive, other than for the payment of Accrued
Compensation (as defined in this Section) and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits (as defined in Section 4.1(c)). In such
case, all Accrued Compensation shall be paid to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of
Termination.

           For the purpose of this Section, the term "Accrued
Compensation" means the sum of (i) the Executive's Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not previously
paid, (ii) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon), and (iii)
any accrued vacation pay in each case to the extent not previously
paid.

           4.6   NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS; SUPERSESSION OF CERTAIN
BENEFITS.  Except as provided in this Section 4.6, nothing in this
Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or
future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice
provided by the Company and for which the

                                    -12-
<PAGE> 13
Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise
affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or
agreement with the Company, except for the elimination of penalties
for competing as provided in Section 4.2(f).  Amounts which are
vested benefits of which the Executive is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of, or any
contract or agreement with, the Company at or subsequent to the Date
of Termination, shall be payable in accordance with such plan,
policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement.

           4.7   FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make
the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to
perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-
off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or
action which the Company may have against the Executive or others.
In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of
this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not
the Executive obtains other employment.  The Company agrees to pay
promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as
a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the
Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability
of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
contest by the Executive regarding the amount of any payment
pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any
delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Code
Section 7872(f)(2)(A).

           4.8   RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.  If there shall be any
dispute between the Company and the Executive (i) in the event of
any termination of the Executive's employment by the Company,
whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of any
termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason
existed, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction declaring that such
termination was for Cause or that the determination by the
Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good
faith, the Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits,
to the Executive and/or the Executive's family or other
beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company would be
required to pay or provide pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2 as though
such termination were by the Company without Cause or by the
Executive with Good Reason; provided, however, that the Company
                            -----------------
shall not be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this
Section except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the Executive to repay all such amounts to which the Executive is
ultimately adjudged by such court not to be entitled.

SECTION 5: NON-COMPETITION.

           5.1   NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT.

                 5.1(a)   It is agreed that during the period
           beginning on the date the Term of this Agreement expires
           and ending one (1) year thereafter, the Executive shall
           not, without prior written approval of the Board, become
           an officer, employee, agent, partner or director of any
           business enterprise in substantial direct competition (as
           defined in Section 5.1(b)) with the Company; provided
           that, if the Executive is terminated by the Company
           without Cause or if the Executive terminates his
           employment for Good Reason, then he will not be subject
           to the restrictions of this Section.

                                    -13-
<PAGE> 14
                 5.1(b)   For purposes of Section 5.1, a business
           enterprise with which the Executive becomes associated as
           an officer, employee, agent, partner or director shall be
           considered in substantial direct competition, if such
           entity competes with the Operating Line of Business and
           is within the Company's market area as of the date that
           the Employment Period expires.

                 5.1(c)   The above constraint shall not prevent the
           Executive from making passive investments, not to exceed
           five percent (5%), in any enterprise.

           5.2   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  The Executive shall hold
in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret
or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during
the Executive's employment by the Company and which shall not be or
become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement).
After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company, or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to
anyone other than the Company and those designated by it.  In no
event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.

SECTION 6: SUCCESSORS.

           6.1   SUCCESSORS OF EXECUTIVE.  This Agreement is personal
to the Executive and, without the prior written consent of the
Company, the rights (but not the obligations) shall not be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.

           6.2   SUCCESSORS OF COMPANY.   The Company will require
any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree
to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such
agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall
be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to
terminate the Agreement at his option on or after the Triggering
Transaction Date for Good Reason.  As used in this Agreement,
"Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

SECTION 7: MISCELLANEOUS.

           7.1   OTHER AGREEMENTS.  The Board may, from time to time
in the future, provide other incentive programs and bonus
arrangements to the Executive with respect to the occurrence of a
Triggering Event that will be in addition to the benefits required
to be paid in the designated circumstances in connection with the
occurrence of a Triggering Transaction.  Such additional incentive
programs and/or bonus arrangements will affect or abrogate the
benefits to be paid under this Agreement only in the manner and to
the extent explicitly agreed to by the Executive in any such
subsequent program or arrangement.

                                    -14-
<PAGE> 15

           7.2   NOTICE.  For purposes of this Agreement, notices and
all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses
as set forth below; provided that all notices to the Company shall
be directed to the attention of the Chairman of the Board, or to
such other address as one party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.

                 Notice to Executive:
                 -------------------

                 Alan D.  Wilson
                 3150 N.W. 60th Street
                 Boca Raton, FL 33496



                 Notice to Company:
                 -----------------

                 Angelica Corporation
                 424 South Woods Mill Road
                 Chesterfield, MO 63017-3406

           7.3   VALIDITY.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

           7.4   WITHHOLDING.  The Company may withhold from any
amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local
taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation.

           7.5   WAIVER.  The Executive's or the Company's failure to
insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any
other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate
employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.4 shall not be
deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other
provision or right of this Agreement.



                                    -15-
<PAGE> 16
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and, the Company,
pursuant to the authorization from its Board, have caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.




                              /s/ Alan D. Wilson
                              ---------------------------------------
                              Alan D. Wilson



                              ANGELICA CORPORATION



                              By /s/ L. J. Young
                                -------------------------------------
                              Name: L. J. Young
                                   ----------------------------------
                              Title: Chairman and President
                                    ---------------------------------


                                    -16-