Walter E. Wilson

Honoring the Life of Walter E. Wilson
January 17, 1947 – March 9, 2025
Walter E. Wilson, a devoted husband, father, public servant, and innovator in federal employee benefits, passed away on March 9, 2025, at the age of 78. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he lived a life defined by service, leadership, and compassion for others.
Walter graduated from Catonsville High School in 1965, received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics from Wake Forest University in 1969, and earned a master's degree in criminology from George Washington University in 1982.
Walter entered on duty with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent on October 19, 1970. Upon completion of training at the FBI Academy, in Quantico, Virginia, he served in the Indianapolis Field Office and the New York City Field Office. Following those assignments, in July 1973, he was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent and transferred to the Technical Services Division at FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ), Washington, DC. While at FBIHQ, in September 1979, he was assigned to the Inspection Staff. In April 1980, Walter was promoted to the position of Unit Chief of the Pay and Position Management Unit, Administrative Services Division. In August 1982, he became the Unit Chief of the Employee Benefits Unit.
In October 1996, FBI Director Louis J. Freeh appointed Mr. Wilson as Administrator of the Employee Benefits Section, a Senior Executive Service (SES) position. In March 1997, he was named Section Chief of the Personnel Management and Benefits Section. In that capacity, Mr. Wilson had responsibility for the FBI's Employee Benefits; Pay Administration and Support Staffing; Performance, Recognition and Awards; and Position Classification Program areas.
During his years in the Administrative Services Division, Mr. Wilson developed retirement seminars to prepare prospective retirees with respect to retirement benefits and calculations, insurance information, and the overall retirement process. He took special interest in creating retirement seminars for all FBI employees, both at FBI Headquarters and throughout the field offices, to prepare employees for retirement.
Mr. Wilson personally improved the process of providing assistance to family survivors upon the death of an FBI employee. One of Mr. Wilson's most significant accomplishments was his creation of the FBI Employee Benevolent Fund. It is a special fast-response insurance fund available only for active FBI employees, which quickly provides designated beneficiaries funds within 24 hours following agency notification of a death.
Mr. Wilson felt strongly it was important to acknowledge and memorialize FBI Special Agents killed in the line of duty; therefore, he personally designed and had constructed the Wall of Honor memorial showcasing a photo and summary of all FBI Special Agents killed in the line of duty. Two large memorials were installed at FBIHQ, one in the main entrance for all visitors to view, and one on the FBI tour route for guests and tourist to view. Every tour that came through would stop and hear stories about the agents and it quickly became a highlight of the tour.
Mr. Wilson also played a major role in obtaining special legislation from Congress to establish the FBI Humanitarian Fund. Additionally, he began a practice of offering personal, on-site assistance to dying or seriously injured employees and to the families of deceased employees. The quiet and effective way that Mr. Wilson has helped countless employees and their families in the most difficult of times is testimony to his compassion, humanity, and professionalism.
Throughout his career, Mr. Wilson was honored with numerous awards and accolades. On June 16, 1998, at The Director's 7th Annual Awards for Excellence Presentation Ceremony, he was the recipient of the prestigious Thomas E. DuHadaway Humanitarian Award. This award was presented for the extraordinary care and dedication he has demonstrated in the development and delivery of employee benefit programs and services to FBI employees and their families.
Mr. Wilson retired from the FBI on January 28,1999. On February 1, 1999, he accepted a position at the Special Agent Mutual Benefit Association (SAMBA), in Rockville, Maryland and was later promoted to Executive Director of SAMBA, a position which he held until his retirement on December 31, 2023.
As Executive Director of SAMBA, Mr. Wilson made significant improvements by enhancing the insurances offered to SAMBA members and by obtaining approval from the Office of Personnel Management to offer enrollment in SAMBA insurance programs to employees in other Federal government agencies.
Under Mr. Wilson's leadership, SAMBA assumed responsibility for the FBI's Employee Benevolent Fund and opened enrollment eligibility into the fund to other agencies participating in SAMBA's insurance programs. It was well received by employees of these other agencies and was a very successful initiative. This was Mr. Wilson's brainchild, and he put it into motion. Now it is one of SAMBA's most popular life insurance programs, accessible to over 30 federal bureaus and agencies. It should be noted that Mr. Wilson's innovative and bold initiatives with respect to SAMBA's business operations were instrumental in SAMBA's continuing success and have presented excellent insurance programs for Federal government employees and retirees.
Mr. Wilson was known as the go-to expert on federal benefits, retirement planning, and navigating sometimes complex insurance plans. During his time at SAMBA, he was a guest speaker on WTOP radio, taking listeners questions on those topics, and giving easy-to-understand answers.
In 2014, Mr. Wilson received a Service Award from the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI for his efforts during his career at FBIHQ to consistently represent the interests of Special Agents in the field offices. He was a knowledgeable voice that spoke to their investigative and personnel requirements during budget planning meetings ensuring that "the tail was not wagging the dog." His length of service at FBIHQ and assigned responsibilities made him an extremely valuable resource for all who worked there. He regularly conducted seminars for the Society at regional and national conferences, and he was always available to help anyone out, whenever they needed his expert advice or assistance. Mr. Wilson was an active member of the DC Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Upon his retirement from SAMBA, the Board of Directors thanked Mr. Wilson for his tireless and outstanding service to SAMBA, its employees and members, and the many valuable contributions he has made to SAMBA's current success. His leadership strengthened and modernized SAMBA, leaving a legacy that continues to benefit federal workers and their families.
Walter married Brenda his high school sweetheart on June 21, 1969. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage, and celebrated the birth of their only child, Julie Michelle Wilson on May 23, 1979. Upon the passing of his beloved wife in 2021, he along with his daughter Julie, established the Brenda S. Wilson Memorial Gardens at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Virginia in 2022. In 2023, Mr. Wilson and his daughter Julie, completed a full renovation of the Annandale United Methodist Church cemetery gardens, which are being renamed The Wilson Family Gardens.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his daughter Julie Michelle Wilson, sister Peggy Wilson Hegwood, extended family, and countless colleagues, friends, and mentees who were impacted by his integrity, leadership, and warmth. His legacy lives on through the programs he built, the lives he protected, and the garden walls he left standing.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 3 PM to 9 PM. On Sunday, June 29, 2025, a Formal Funeral with FBI Honor Guard will be held at 3 PM, immediately followed by a Graveside Service, Burial, and Dinner Reception. All events will take place at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003.
If you are unable to attend in person, livestream the Formal Funeral at the following link: https://annandaleunitedmethodist.subspla.sh/wh9rj3n The landing page will be visible seven days prior to the Formal Funeral, and livestream will start one hour prior to the official start time.
Floral Donations can be delivered to Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. Monetary donations can be made to the www.BrendaSWilsonMemorialGardens/donate