Nancy Ilene Wilt

Nancy Ilene Wilt passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026. She lived a life defined by service, leadership, curiosity, and an unwavering devotion to people - whether they were Marines, colleagues, cadets, friends, or family.

Born on March 16, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, Nancy was raised in Dearborn and educated by the Sisters of Mercy. From an early age, she embraced adventure and learning through the Girl Scouts of America - experiences that took her to dance on The Ed Sullivan Show, sail out of Mystic Seaport, and teach English to Mexican medical school candidates. Summers and holidays were often spent with extended family in Michigan and St. Mary's, Canada, forming lifelong bonds and memories.

Nancy moved with her family to Ypsilanti, Michigan, during her senior year of high school and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University in Home Economics in Business, specializing in Food and Design. While in college, she served as a full-time guide and interpreter on the curator staff at The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn - an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for American history.

Upon graduation in 1970, Nancy was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, beginning a distinguished military career marked by excellence and quiet trailblazing. As a Food Service Officer, she applied her education directly to improving Marine Corps food service operations and dining facility design across the country and abroad.

Her assignments included managing the Navy's food service program at Naval Air Station Millington, Tennessee, where she oversaw two major facilities serving more than 28,000 meals daily and led hundreds of Navy and Marine personnel. She also served as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of the Women Marine Detachment.

At Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Nancy made history as the first woman staff officer assigned to The Basic School, serving as Food Service Officer and Officer Instructor. She later commanded the Women's Company at Quantico and played a key role in developing policies that led to the dissolution of segregated women's units and the integration of women into historically male commands.

After the birth of her son, Nancy returned to active duty and assumed responsibility for the entire Quantico food service program, including eleven dining facilities, a bakery, and the Marine Corps Baking and Butcher Schools. She contributed to multiple joint military initiatives, including the development of Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs), and helped modernize Navy and Marine Corps food service training and directives.

Her final military assignment was at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where she redesigned dining facilities, introduced hands-on food service training, launched a Marine chef's competition, and implemented new duty uniforms for food service personnel. During this tour, she also served as Food Services Inspector for the Marine Forces Pacific Inspector General Team and was awarded the Collins Award for Superior Performance of Duty by a Woman Officer in the Naval Service by the Navy League.

Nancy concluded her Marine Corps career in 1982, but her leadership continued in the private sector. She developed innovative food service and operations programs for ARAMARK, Texas Instruments, Amdahl, and Sodexho, including sixteen years as Director of Events and Catering at Texas Instruments, serving the CEO and Board of Directors. Her final professional role was Director of Corporate Services for the Mountain States Region at USAA, overseeing food services, transportation, flight operations, mail services, and logistics.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nancy was deeply committed to preserving history - particularly the history of women who earned the title ''Marine.'' As National Historian and History Chair for the Women Marines Association, she founded and led The History Project, which has become the definitive collection documenting the service of women Marines. In recognition of this work, she received the Women Marines Association National Service Award in 2010 and was later honored with the Julia Hamblet Award by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

Nancy was married to Edward ''Ned'' Wilt, also a Marine, and together they made their home in Hunt, Texas. They were deeply involved in the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Sponsor Program, opening their home to more than eighty-five cadets over the years - providing a place of rest, belonging, and family to young men and women serving their country around the world.

She is survived by her husband, Ned; her son, Patrick Wilt, and daughter-in-law, Keri Wilt; her beloved grandchildren, Lawsin and Rylan; and countless friends, Marines, cadets, and colleagues whose lives were shaped by her mentorship, generosity, and stories.

Known for her love of conversation, her gift for hospitality, her incredible cooking, and her instinct to be helpful, Nancy brought warmth and kindness wherever she went. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service honoring Nancy's life will be held on March 14, 2026, in Hunt, Texas. For service details, please email keri@keriwilt.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Nancy's memory to either of the below, in gratitude for the compassionate care they provided.

New Haven Memory Care
747 Alpine Dr.
Kerrville, TX 78028

Peterson Hospice/Peterson Health Foundation
551 Hill Country Drive
Kerrville, Texas 78028