Robert Wilson

ROBERT WARREN WILSON, Age 96, of Van Wert, formerly of Lima, died 9:41 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at Van Wert County Hospital.

He was born June 4, 1920, in Lima, OH, to Seth R. and May Ethel (Frisinger) Wilson, who preceded him in death.

On December 3, 1946, he and Coralie Eileen Severn were married in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Van Wert, and she survives.

Also surviving are his children: Coralie A. Wilson; Mark (Ellen) Wilson; Colin L. Wilson; grandchildren: Graham & Alex Wilson; Madelyn Wilson; great grandson: Ethan Wilson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: James A. Wilson, Seth Wilson; sisters: Margaret E. E. Burkholder, Grace Bowsher, Lucille Lawson, Betty J. Hower, Elsie Bowsher.

Mr. Wilson retired in 1971 from the United States Air Force with over 30 years active service. While serving as an enlisted man at France Field in the Panama Canal Zone in 1942, Wilson was accepted for the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet flying training program. He graduated as a Pilot and Second Lieutenant at Columbus AAF, Mississippi, in 1943. As a First Lieutenant, he was a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II and flew 35 combat missions over Germany with the 385th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force.

Mr. Wilson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart for wounds received in aerial combat, the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the European Theater of Operations Medal with 2 Battle Stars and the usual service medals awarded for war time service.

Mr. Wilson has been honored by having his name inscribed in stone on the “Wall of Valor” at the Eighth Air Force Museum Memorial Garden at Savannah, Georgia.

In two consecutive years, 1960 and 1961, Wilson, while serving as a Senior Training NCO in the Air Force Basic Training Program, was selected as the most Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer at Lackland AFB, Texas. In 1969, while serving at Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois, as an Education and Training Superintendent, he was selected as the Outstanding Chief Master Sergeant of the entire Air Training Command and was, at Randolph AFB, Texas, nominated by Lieutenant General Sam Maddux for the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

Prior to his enlistment in the Army Air Corps in July 1941, Wilson served 33 months in the Civilian Conservation Corps: at Klamath Falls, Oregon, in 1936; at Brigham City, Utah, 1937 to 1939; and at Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1940. He was employed at the Lima Locomotive Works when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

Mr. Wilson was a member of the Class of 1938 at Lima South High School and earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from St Leo College, Florida. He was a Member of BPOE Lodge 54 in Lima, OH; Van Wert Fraternal Order of Eagles; Van Wert Veterans of Foreign War; Van Wert American Legion; Rocky Mountain Lodge #40; Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Cheyenne, WY; Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Visitation will be 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2016, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, OH; and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2016, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Van Wert, OH with Pastor Will Haggis officiating.

Private interment will be in Ridge Cemetery, Middle Point, OH with military rites rendered by the combined units of the Van Wert VFW and American Legion.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion or 8th Air Force Museum and Memorial Gardens, Savannah, GA