John Walter Wilson

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John Walter Wilson

Of Mountain View passed away July 6, at age 87. Growing up in Trenton, N.J., he served in the Army Air Corps in his early 20's as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot based in England during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions with the 359th Fighter Group, earning eight Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to earn an electrical engineering degree from Lafayette College, and worked at Lockheed where he designed satellite navigation systems, retiring in 1983. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Louise, having shared 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his loving family, son John A. Wilson, daughter-in-law Marilyn, granddaughters Whitney and Lauren, brother Graham Wilson, sister Edith Multop, nieces and nephews, companion Arloa Kelsen, and many friends throughout the U.S. and England. John enjoyed many passions in his life including world travel, fishing at Henry's Lake, Idaho, golf, watercolor painting, drawing, walks with his granddaughters, playing handball at the Elks Lodge, traditional jazz, and volunteering for the Road Runners at El Camino Hospital and the St. Vincent de Paul Society in East Palo Alto.A memorial service will be held Friday, July 27, 3:00 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Avenue. Remembrances in his name can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1425 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, CA, 94303.