Richard Leland Wilson

Dr. Richard Leland Wilson, a longtime Bay Center resident passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family at 86 years of age. Richard was born July 15, 1938 in Walla Walla, Washington to Leland Albert Wilson and Alma Elizabeth Wilson (Friezen). He married Janet Wilson (Mack), the love of his life, on April 27, 1963, who passed away in 2016. He is survived by two sons and a daughter; Eric Doren Wilson of Lake Stevens, WA, Marc Leland Wilson of Raymond, WA and Loretta Lynn Wilson of Bay Center, WA and 5 grandchildren. Richard has one surviving brother Dennis Lee Wilson of Naselle, WA. 

As a young man, Richard was very active. He enjoyed mountain climbing and is credited with the second successful winter assault on the summit of Mount Jefferson with his longtime friend Michael Nowak. Richard also spent his time flyfishing and hunting the Oregon and Washington Coast. He enjoyed the outdoors and it is here where he gained his love for nature and the need to preserve our natural resources. 

Richard obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon where he made two of his most important life choices. He met Janet Mack, later to become Janet Wilson and he discovered his love for science. He later obtained his PhD in Paleontology from the University of Michigan. Richard began an assistant professorship at Southern Oregon College but soon found that college professor life was not his calling. Instead, he and Dennis headed to the Willapa Bay area to sea ranch salmon and set oyster seed. With the help of Dr. Arnold Shotwell, they revolutionized the oyster setting process for commercial viability. In addition, the sea ranching of salmon was very successful. In a few short years, government agencies curtailed their salmon sea ranching venture and forced them to pivot. Thus began the adventure into farming oysters and the birth of Bay Center Mariculture. After the purchase of two existing oyster farms, Bay Center Mariculture developed into a modest size oyster farming venture that has been in continuous operation for the past 54 years. 

With the establishment of this farm, his expertise in earthly science, and his undeterred drive to understand the world around him, Richard took it upon himself to become a steward of the Willapa Bay estuary. His understanding of the interconnectedness of the various natural systems of the Willapa Bay area gave him a full appreciation of the value of the pristine habitat. This helped him lead the fight to preserve and protect the diversity that the bay and surrounding area oysters. He pushed back against regulations and activities that threaten the integrity of the bay and continued that fight up until just a few weeks before his passing. To say he was passionate about this area, the bay and his farm, would be a serious understatement, even an injustice. 

Please join the family in remembering this man and his accomplishments with a memorial services held at the Chamber of Commerce building in South Bend on August 16th at 2pm. There will be snacks and drinks provided.