Rev. John W. Wilson

Rev. John W. Wilson, 80, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of Joyce Wilson (Craig) for 33 years. Born in Amsterdam, New York, John was the beloved son of the late William R. Wilson and Elizabeth S. Wilson (Morse). He is also survived by his daughters Laura Corbin (Robert) and Suzanne O'Donnell; his step-sons David Yarrington and Doug Yarrington (Miyo); his brother David Wilson (Wanda); his loving grandchildren Christopher, Kenjah, Andrew, Sarah, Devin, Lauren, Gavin and Chet; and by his beloved great-grandson Jaxon. John is predeceased by his brother Robert Wilson and his wife Connie. He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
Growing up in Townsend, MA, John became an Eagle Scout in 1958 and played on his high school basketball team. He then went on to attend Bowdoin College in Maine where he competed on the track team and mastered the skill of playing the organ before graduating with his Bachelors of Arts degree in 1966. That same year he married Carla Wilson and moved to New Haven, CT where he attended Yale University and earned his Master of Divinity, becoming an ordained minister. John began his ministry in 1969 in Grafton, MA before moving to Westfield, NJ where he ministered from 1974 to 1987. During his time in Westfield, John began courses at Andover Newton Theological School where he earned his Doctor of Ministry. In 1987, he moved to Newport, RI where he ministered until 1993. John then moved to Westbrook, CT where he ministered until 2013 before ultimately retiring. In 1991, he married Joyce Wilson (Craig) with whom he shared 33 years of loving marriage.
In addition to his faith and ministry, John had many other hobbies, interests and talents. Being a direct descendant of the Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower, John was an avid history buff and shared that passion with his family and congregation whenever he could. He loved to travel, play golf, dance and play games; mainly bridge, cribbage, chess, checkers and monopoly in his later years. He coached his daughter's softball teams when they were younger, but being a man who always wanted to support others, he continued to umpire the games even after his daughters had stopped playing. He had a wonderful sense of humor and maintained a love of puns which he used to strategically lighten the mood when the occasion called for it. John was a man of incredible faith and had many talents; he will be missed deeply by everyone who had the chance to know him.
There will be a service held to honor John on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 1pm at the UCC Church in Swansea, 1113 G.A.R Hgwy, Swansea, MA with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to the Parkinsons Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, United Church of Christ, PO Box 71957, Cleveland, OH 44194, or to the First Christian Congregational Church, 1113 G.A.R Highway, Swansea, MA 02777.