Donald Wayne Wilson Obituary
After seven years of severe illness, Donald Wayne Wilson, 69, died peacefully in his own home in Huntington County in his own bed with his wife and grandson, Caleb Wilson, nearby. Born in Galesburg, Illinois, to Dan O. and Dorothy Jean (Wilcoxon) Wilson on April 10, 1956, he graduated from Knoxville High School in Knoxville, IL, in 1974. He earned his B.A. in Bible from Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C. in 1978. His parents, Dan and Dorothy Wilson, and two unborn children predeceased him.
He married Debbie Lynn Wentworth on August 13, 1977, in Baileyville, Maine, to whom he was married for 47 years. He is survived by his wife, his sons Daniel (Elisabeth) Wilson of Auburn, IN, and David Wesley (Felicia) Wilson of Pickens, S.C., his daughter Delores Stariana Maffett of Glen St. Mary, FL, his sister Diana Wilson Lewis Clarke of Redmond, OR. Seven grandsons, Caleb, Benjamin, Timothy, Jeremiah, James, Levi, and Daniel and five granddaughters, Hannah, Susannah, Abigail, Talitha, Atarah, and a soon-to-be granddaughter Ella Ruth, Wilson outlived him. Several nieces and nephews survive.
Don was a Renaissance man who did many things well. He was a teacher and principal at two Christian schools: Gateway Christian Academy in Granite City, Illinois, and Charity Baptist Christian School in Huntington. He designed and built three super insulated, passive solar homes. He was a carpenter, a truck driver, and a warehouse manager. He held church services for nursing home residents by playing the piano and preaching at Oakbrook Village in Huntington for over ten years until weakness made him end it. He wooed his wife with his beautiful singing voice. He loved learning and spending meals with family and friends talking about the Bible, creation, and politics. He enjoyed big tires and shooting with family and friends, especially if he could do the countdown of when to shoot and cheat to make everyone laugh. He drew well, especially house plans and caricatures. He loved the Bible, especially the Sermon on the Mount, and old hymns. He wrote several hymns and set them to music.
We will hold a memorial service at the graveside at Lancaster County Cemetery on Friday, July 18, at noon, with Brother Charlie Williams of Faith Bible Missionary Church of Fort Wayne officiating. A brief time of fellowship will follow in the Sunday school room of Charity Baptist Church, 6000 Old US Highway 24, Huntington, Indiana, following the service. Instead of flowers, you may donate to Answers In Genesis (Donate | Answers in Genesis) or Creation Ministry International (Donate to CMI). Ypu may share memories of Don on Sproles Family Funeral Home, sprolesfamilycares.com.
