Neil R. Wilson

1943 - 2021

Neil R. Wilson, age 78 of Willoughby and formerly of Leroy, passed away May 9, 2021 at David Simpson Hospice House of the Western Reserve. He was born April 28, 1943 in Lawrence, Kansas to the late James E. and Florence (Peck) Wilson. His father was there at the time recovering from injuries he received at the battle at Midway. Neil was a 1961 graduate of Ashtabula High School. After high school he graduated from Kent State University in 1965. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving two tours in Vietnam earning the rank of Lt. Jr Grade. After serving his country he graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Law earning his Juris Doctorate and started his career practicing law. He then went on to become City of Mentor Prosecutor, solicitor for Perry Village and Leroy ,Painesville Municipal Court Judge and then continued practicing law with his private practice. He was a member of the Lake County Bar Association, Ohio Municipal Court Judges Association and Leroy-Thompson VFW Post 7939 which he helped to establish. He considers his greatest accomplishments in life being his service in the Navy, serving as Painesville Municipal Court Judge and especially being a father and husband. Neil loved living in Leroy where he gardened and attempted to grow fruit trees. He could always be found in his spare time wandering around his mini-farm with his dog Cleopatra. He coached both CLP baseball and basketball and Euclid fall baseball in the evenings and on the weekends. He also served as practice catcher for his son and graciously took many miss placed fast balls. Neil loved the time he spent coaching. Neil is survived by his wife Jacqueline (Caldwell) Wilson, whom he married August 16, 1983; daughter Carly (Cliff) Martin of Willoughby and granddaughter Emma Martin. He also leaves his brother Richard of the Villages, FL,. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Neil C. Wilson in 2016 and his sisters Renee Semorod, and Sharon Sheetz. A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 2-4PM at Johnson Funeral Home, 368 Mentor Ave., Painesville, Ohio 44077. Online condolences at www.johnsonfuneralservices.net