Gerald Hampton Wilson

Gerald Hampton Wilson

PRINCESS ANNE — Gerald Hampton Wilson, 90, died at his home on Friday, June 10, 2011. Born in Tennessee, he was the son of the late John Palmer Wilson and Ida Higgins Wilson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Betty Lee Jones Wilson, and children, Shirley Wood and her husband, Edward, John Wilson, Gere Wilson and his wife, Dianne, Donna Lane and her husband, Jeff, and a son-in-law, Harold Royals. He was preceded in death by a son, David Wilson, and a daughter, Janet Royals. He leaves many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Gerald was the oldest of a large family. His father farmed and did odd jobs, and Gerald also went to work at an early age to help support his family. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at 16, and at 18 joined the U.S. Army, where he was promoted rapidly and was the youngest first sergeant (at that time) in the Army at 20. He met and married his wife, Betty, in 1944. He then joined the U.S. Air Force, where he remained for 21 years. Later, he worked for Civil Service. After retiring, he and Betty moved to Public Landing.

Throughout the years, he won many awards for his acts of kindness and generosity: the Good Neighbor Award, nominated for Beautiful People Award, Rotary Club Citizen of the Year, Adult Citizen Award at New Castle Presbytery and the 2008 National Jefferson Award.

A service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Makemie Church Cemetery. Friends may call at Burbage Funeral Home in Snow Hill today from 4-6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804; or Makemie Church Benevolence Fund, 103 W. Market St., Snow Hill, Md. 21863.