Donald Wilson April 12, 1921 – January 02, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Donald Wilson passed away 1/2/2019 in Chanute, Ks. Services will be held and he will be laid to rest in Arkansas on 1/5/2019 at the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church cemetery. Donald was born in Farmington, New Mexico in 1921 and was the first of 6 children born to Mildred and Jack Wilson.
He grew up in Pineville, Arkansas; graduating from Calico Rock High School in 1941. Joining the Army Air Corps shortly after high school, Donald supported the war effort in the Central Pacific Arena, serving as a flight mechanic and aerial gunner in the 13th Air Force, B24 Liberator bomber group. After 50 successful bombings and several recovery missions, Donald was transferred back to the states.
Stationed at Buckley Air Base in Colorado, he worked first as Crew Chief and then Pre-Flight Inspector. He married his childhood friend and sweetheart, Lucy Estes, on the 5th of July, 1945. They lived in Denver, Colorado until the war ended and he completed his enlistment obligations; having earned the rank of Technical Sargent.
Donald and Lucy moved back home to Pineville, Arkansas where he co-owned and operated a cold storage locker plant in Calico Rock. He and Lucy made their home in Pineville for the next 7 years, increasing their family with 4 children. Moving to Wichita, KS, Donald spent the next 10 years working for The Boeing Company.
Their family grew by one additional child. Looking for a change of work, Donald studied electronics part time at Wichita State University. Upon completion, he took a position as an Electronic Technician with Sante Fe Railroad.
Moving to Chanute, KS in 1970, Donald worked the next 20 years for Santa Fe and retired in 1986. After his retirement he continued to be very active in family gatherings, camping, boating, and traveling. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed a good conversation.
He has been aptly described as having a “kind and gentle soul”. Donald is preceded in death by his parents Mildred and Jack Wilson, his wife of 72 years, Lucy Estes Wilson, sisters Rudean Carson, Mavis Russell, and Ruby Boes, and brother Ronald Wilson. He is survived by his brother Bob & Barbara Wilson; his children: Peggy & Richard Folkins, Bobby & Joan Wilson, Mildred & Bill Stewart, Donald Wilson, Jr, and Dona & Dave Call; 11 grandchildren: Greg & Corin Folkins, John Folkins, Sarah Bueno, Jeff & Catherine Wilson, Amy & Josh Phillips, Carrie & John Vest, Jr, B.J. & Jessie Stewart, Seth Wilson, Jed and Kristen Wilson, Eric Call and Brandon Call; 14 great-grandchildren: Kaley, Peter and Siena Folkins, Elizabeth and Luke Bueno, Stephanie, Grace and Micah Wilson, Parker, Jake and Allison Phillips, Ashlee Stewart & Andrew St. James, Hailey Knigge and Emily Wilson; 1 great-great-grandchild Kylie St. James, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation and funeral service will be Saturday, January 5 at Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Calico Rock.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
