Richard W. "Dick" Wilson

1937 - 2011

BORN

1937

DIED

2011

Richard Wilson Obituary

Richard W. "Dick" Wilson, 74

Sartell

February 12, 1937 ~ February 23, 2011

Richard W. "Dick" Wilson, age 74, Sartell, MN died Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud MN. Visitation and a Masonic Prayer service were held one hour prior.

Dick was born February 12, 1937 in Rochester, MN to Sherman C. and Ethel H. (Ormand) Wilson. He married Nina Maxine Jones on 27 July 1956 in Maryville, MO. Dick served 8 years active duty in the United States Air Force, before becoming a Camera Repairman for a company in the Twin Cities, and later an Insurance Salesman and Regional Manager for Mutual of Omaha. He later joined the United States Air Force Reserves, retiring in 1997. He became a construction supervisor for Conlon Construction, then for Gohman Construction, St. Cloud, MN and finally for HBE Corporation of St. Louis, MO, retiring in 2004. Dick was a member of the Royalton American Legion Post # 137, St. Cloud North Star Lodge #23 AF & AM, Royal Arch Chapter No. 10, Nazarene Commandry No 24, Osman Shrine Temple of St. Paul, MN, and Morocco Shrine Temple of Jacksonville, FL. He was a Boy Scout Leader for over 30 years and was Air Force Advisor for the Civil Air Patrol. Survivors include his first wife, Maxine Jones Wall of Statham, GA; four adult children, William R. Wilson, USAF Retired, 53, of Winder, GA; Laura Jean Stark, 52, Fort Collins CO; Robert W. Wilson, 50, Statham GA; and Jennifer L. Hulsey, 43, Maysville GA; 14 Grand Children, and 5 Great Grand Children. Third wife, Patricia Steed Wilson of Sartell, MN; One adult son, Richard C. Wilson, 31, Sauk Rapids, MN; 3 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Stephanie M. Wilson, 19, daughter of William R. Wilson.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times from Mar. 13 to Mar. 16, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Wilson

11 Entries

Sherrie Diaz

March 19, 2011

Uncle Dick, You were very caring, insightful and taught me many things as I was growing up. You were a father figure when mine was not available. There was never a dull moment and there was always an adverture when you were in town. Thank you for all the wonderful times I had when spending time with you, my Aunt Maxine and my cousins. You will truly be missed and love ya.

Brandi Knight

March 13, 2011

I never got to give you a hug before an angel took your hand and gave you a tug.
I never got to give you a kiss before you made your final wish.
I never got to tell you I Love You before you disappeared into the sky so blue.
I never got to tell you goodbye before you got your wings and learned to fly.
All these things i wish i did whether by choice or fate I was too late.

Grandpa if your listening say a prayer for us everyday be sure to protect us and guide us on our way. We know when god called you, you had to go but we want you to know Grandpa we miss you and love you so...

Look how happy he was!

Kimberly Fetterer

March 13, 2011

I am happy that I was given the opportunity to meet Grandpa Dick and that our children were able to spend quality time with their Great-Grandfather while he was living in Lake City, Florida. We all miss you and pray for eternal peace for you. Love, Kim, Jocelyn, Brianna, and Christian.

March 13, 2011

Rest in peace....you will be truly missed. You filled a void as Dad when I needed one. Love you. Hollie Athen - Buffalo, MN

Jennifer Athen

March 13, 2011

Though I only met you a handful of times, you were one of the kindest, most helpful men I've ever met.

William Garrison

March 13, 2011

Your honesty, knowledge, and love will be missed.

We love you - RIP.

Brandon Fetterer

March 13, 2011

You were one of my inspriations for joining the Air Force Grandpa. I will do my best to make you as proud as you were the day I pinned on TSgt. I Love You Grandpa!

March 13, 2011

Rest in Peace,Dad
With unconditional love,
Your Little Girl,
Laura Jean

Bill Wilson

March 13, 2011

I really don’t even know where to start.

Dad taught me so much in the 53 years I’ve been alive. We tore down and rebuilt a 425 motor in a 1963 Oldsmobile 98, my senior year in high school. I’ve done the same with my son, a 351 Cleveland and we installed it in a 1984 Mustang.

I worked during the summers when I was in High School, helping Dad build Lincoln-Log type cabins across Minnesota and Wisconsin. This is where I honed my carpentry skills. I’ve remodeled our Kitchen, and finished out the previously bare half basement in our house into 2 full bedrooms, a laundry and full bath, in addition to so many other woodworking projects over the years. Thanks Dad.

He handed me a Weller Soldering Gun and a printed circuit board when I was in the 6th grade, in Fairfax Minnesota, and told me to take the parts off. Sparked my interest in Electronics.

I entered the Air Force at the age of 17, after bypassing my Junior Year in High School. I graduated in 1974 from Buffalo Senior High School, Buffalo Minnesota. I went into Digital Electronics, and became a Master Communications Electronics Technician. I retired from active duty after serving 20 years, to provide a stable (no more moving) home for my children to finish out their schooling in.

We settled in the Atlanta Metro area due to the job availability and the relocation of the rest of my immediate siblings to the area. I became an Electronics Production Supervisor for Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics, and then an Electronics Production Manager for Solectron Corp., a contract electronics manufacturer. I now serve as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician, level III, working in a growing Hospital in Northeast Georgia. Thanks Dad.

I remember going camping with Dad and the Boy Scout Troop in Northwest Missouri. We ate Frog Leg Stew, after spending the evening gathering the frogs. I went on to become a Life Scout, one Merit Badge short of Eagle, back when there was NO Merit Badge Universities, and mass classes for Merit Badge Training as there is today. We really had to work for them. I went on to become Scoutmaster as my 3 boys came up through Scouts, teaching and sharing the ever-valuable lessons of Scouting and life.

More campouts than I can count, road trips to great places like Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo Texas, Pensacola Beach, the US-Canadian Boundary Waters (twice) High Adventure Wilderness Canoe Trips, and more. I wonder if my old summer camp, Camp Cuyuna still exists, where I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow.

I look in my garage, I remember my Dad. I look in my Office/Radio Room, I remember my Dad. I go camping, I remember my Dad. I even made a carpenter’s toolbox, like the ones he used to have, for all my carpentry tools. Thanks Dad.

These are but a few of the memories I have, the life experiences that my Father taught and shared with me. Thanks Dad.

Only our imaginations and the experiences that we have had limit us. Spend time with your kids, pass on the knowledge. It’s important. Thanks Dad for giving me 53 years of your life. We miss you.

One of the most significant achievements, for me, when I became a Master Mason. At my request, my Father was one of the two required signatures on my membership petition. Thanks Dad.