Lee Bryant Wilson

Lee Bryant Wilson, 91, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Aldersgate Village. He was born March 22, 1919, in Munford, Alabama, the son of Annie M. Mitchell Wilson and Lee B. Wilson. Lee graduated from Munford High School in 1938 and then attended a small college in Mississippi on an athletic scholarship. During World War II, he served in the US Air Force and saw combat in India and Burma. Following the war, Lee graduated from Jacksonville State University in Alabama. He then moved to Topeka to join the staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital as an occupational therapist, which was the beginning of a successful thirty-one year career with the VA Hospital. A natural athlete, Lee excelled in baseball, basketball and golf, winning numerous golf trophies. He won second place in the Topeka Golf Tournament in 1969. He served as a high school and junior college referee in football, basketball and baseball for over thirty years. He was an excellent sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Lee was a member of VFW#1650, Capital Post#1 and the American Legion. He was also a member of Big Brothers of Topeka, Scottish Rite, the Moose Lodge, and was an Arab Shriner. Lee held membership in the Lake Shawnee Golf Club, where he spent many happy hours with his friends. Survivors include a niece, Paula Conrey and her husband Steven Steinberg of San Francisco, a nephew, John M. Wilson and his wife Mary of Anniston, Alabama, and a niece, Anne Roberts of Gulf Shores, Alabama and her three sons. Lee is survived by dear friend Marilyn Kellogg of Topeka. He is also survived by Jane Stewart Griffin of San Rafael, California and the Stewart family of Anniston, Alabama. His parents, sisters Anne and Mildred, and brother John, preceded him in death. Graveside military service will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka on Monday, November 22, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. The family extends special thanks to the staffs at Aldersgate Village and to Grace Hospice for their unwavering support. Memorials may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka, 1119 SW 10th Ave Ste 3, Topeka 66604. To leave the family a special message online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Lee Bryant Wilson