Arthur B. Wilson III

Arthur "Art" Bolton Wilson III, 94, entered into eternal rest on May 16, 2025, in Blythe, California, following a brief illness. He was born on August 19, 1930, in Monrovia, California. Before his senior year of high school, Art moved with his parents and brother to El Centro, California, where he graduated from El Centro Union High School. Afterward, he attended college for one year before enlisting in the United States Air Force. There, he served as an air policeman and later transferred to the Office of Special Investigations. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1954.

Upon returning to El Centro, Art began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the City of Imperial. He later joined the Imperial County Sheriff's Department, where he served as a deputy. In addition to his duties with the department, he taught criminal investigation classes at the local college and acted as a deputy coroner for the county. During this time, he was united in marriage to his beloved wife of 62 years, Cleatus Jones.

In 1961, Art graduated as class valedictorian from the California Highway Patrol Academy and was assigned to the Winterhaven resident post. He was promoted to sergeant in 1965 and transferred to Blythe. In 1969, he was reassigned to Riverside, where he remained until 1971. That same year, he was promoted to lieutenant and returned to Blythe to serve as the area’s first commander after it transitioned from a resident post to a fully established CHP office. He retired in 1981 after a distinguished career in law enforcement.

In his retirement years, Art pursued a wide range of interests with the same dedication he brought to his career. A lifelong railroad enthusiast, he had a deep passion for all things railroading, especially restored steam locomotives. He also worked as an owner-operator truck driver, escorted wide loads across the region, and conducted investigative work for insurance companies specializing in high-risk policyholders. He was a self-published author and wrote a book titled Runways in the Sand about the Blythe Army Air Base, preserving an important part of local and military history. Above all, he valued spending time with his family and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Art is survived by his three sons, Eric Wilson (Lilia), Bruce Wilson, and Wayne Wilson (Ruth); his grandchildren, Maria Christina Hernandez (Jose), Nicole Wilson, and Cory Wilson (Savannah); his great-grandchildren, Mariah, Ari, Eric, Danilla, and Davina; and his brother, John Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur B. Wilson Jr. and Jeannette Wilson; his wife, Cleatus Wilson; and his grandson, Eric Wilson II.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on May 31st at Frye Chapel, 633 N 7th St., Blythe, CA, and will be followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Sam Burton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blythe Cancer Resource Center, located at 209 E Hobsonway, Blythe, CA 92225. For more information, please call 760-921-2272.