Charlie-Wilson-Obituary

Charlie Wilson

Obituary

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Democrat who represented eastern Ohio in Washington for two terms after winning a write-in campaign, died Sunday in a Florida hospital, the Ohio Democratic Party announced. He was 70.

Wilson had suffered a stroke in February while vacationing with his family and was recovering at a rehabilitation center, Democratic Party officials said. He fell ill Saturday night and was admitted to a hospital in Boynton Beach, where he died at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday with his family by his side, the officials said.

Wilson spent 14 years in Columbus and Washington championing for the people of eastern and southeastern Ohio. He secured federal funding for police departments, airport improvements and small business incubators, among other project.

Before being elected to Congress, Wilson served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1997 to 2005. He then served two years in the Ohio Senate.

"I se rved with Charlie in the State Legislature for six years and he was a loyal friend in good times and bad," Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern said in a statement. "An outspoken advocate for working people, Charlie never wavered in his service to his constituents or his lifelong pursuit to help improve the lives of others."

Wilson won his first congressional campaign in 2006 as a write-in candidate, filling the seat vacated by Gov. Ted Strickland. He had failed to gather enough petition signatures to qualify for the state's primary, requiring him to run as a write-in for the 6th Congressional District stretching from Youngstown's southern suburbs to the tip of the Ohio River near Portsmouth.

Wilson, who represented a coal-heavy district, served on the House Committee on Science and Technology.

He lost bids for Congress in 2010 and 2012.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, who defeated Wilson in 2012, said he was saddened to hear of his death and express ed condolences to his family.

"Although Charlie and I were political opponents, we were never enemies. He served with honor in the Ohio state legislature and in Congress," Johnson said in a statement.

Before entering public service, Wilson was owner of several small businesses throughout the Ohio Valley. He attended Ohio University in Athens and while still in college, worked as a UAW member on the assembly line at the Ford Automotive auto plant in Lorain.

Wilson is survived by four sons, one of whom served as his campaign manager in the 2006 race and went on to succeed him in the Ohio Senate.

"Throughout his extraordinary life, Congressman Wilson was motivated by a desire to serve his country and a passion for the causes most important to the constituents of Southeast and East Ohio," his family said in a statement. "Congressman Wilson served with honor, dignity and an unwavering sense of civic responsibility to the families of our region. Charlie will be remembered for his boundless energy, his honest approach, and his dedication to improving the lives of our future generations."

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.


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Dear Friends:

I want to extend my deepest condolences for the loss of your dear father, grandfather and best friend, U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson. He was a great American patriot whose legacy will live on in the state of Ohio's and our nation's history books as an example of bipartisanship and public policymaking at its best. His leadership and friendship inspired so many in the state of Ohio and in Congress to work hard to solve our nation's problems. He was a fighter, a...

Recently, watched movie about him. What a hot ticket and true American!! God Bless.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

My sincere condolences to the family. God invites you to draw close to him (Ja. 4:8) and he will draw close to you.

Ohio is a great place to live.I did not know Charlie but if he is like other Ohioians he I'd a class act.Ohio is the California of the East coast.











It is comforting to know that Jesus, the Ruler of God's Kingdom, is called the “Prince of Peace,” and he will ensure that “to peace there will be no end.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7.

My sincere condolence for the loss of Charlie your dear loved one. May your fond thoughts of him bring back good memories. Peace and love to your family and friends, and to the spirit that you all show. [email protected]

Charlie is remembered for his overwhelming goodness in dealing with people of all walks of life. He made so many peoples lives just a little bit better. Best wishes to the Wilson family.