He was born Aug. 16, 1924, in Albion, Mich., to Donald J. and Etha Margaret (Martin) Wilson. He married Myrtle M. Minnick on Sept. 28, 1946, in Fort Wayne. She died Oct. 1, 2000.

Mr. Wilson is survived by one son, Donald J. (Kerry R.) Wilson of Stevensville, Mich.; one daughter, Barbara (Bradley D.) Willard of Elkhart; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Eleanor Jane Carr of Lawton, Mich.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A vigil service will be at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Friends also may call a half hour prior to Monday's 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Elkhart. The Rev. Phil DeVolder will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery with military honors rendered by DAV Chapter 19 and the Army Honors Burial Detail.

Mr. Wilson was a railroad engineer who started with the New York Central Railroad, which became Penn Central Railroad and then Conrail, from which he retired in 1983 after 41 years of service. He was a member of the UTU (United Transportation Union) and had just received his 65-year pin.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He was a World War II Army veteran who served with Company C 745th Railway Operators Battalion. He was a Boy Scout leader, camper, creek jumper, fire builder, euchre player, snow blower, ice cream eater, giver, talker and storyteller, but to his family he was a husband, son, brother, daddy, grandpa and friend.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association or United Cancer Services of Elkhart County. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.