He was born March 20, 1936, in Elkhart, Ind., to Ellsworth and Pauline (Hendershot) Wilson. He married Frances I. "Fran" Doolittle on June 18, 1955, in Elkhart.

She survives, along with one son, Tim (Sandy) Wilson of Niles; two daughters, Cherie (Bill) DeFreese of Osceola, Ind., and Connie (Larry) Kennedy of Decatur, Ill.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Roger (Jean) Wilson of Mottville.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Joyce I. Drudge and Doreen L. Wilson; and two brothers, Ronald and Victor Wilson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour before Saturday's 11 a.m. funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. The Rev. Joe McCormick of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will be in St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart.

Mr. Wilson owned the KEM Co. of Elkhart in the early 1960s, where he manufactured RV steps. He later became a millwright at Bendix Corp. in South Bend, where he worked for more than 16 years. In 1989, he began working for Best Plastics, where he remained until retiring in 1997.

He served several years as a New York Central Railroad police officer and an Osolo Township firefighter. He served in the Indiana National Guard and the Army Reserves during the Korean War where he reached the rank of sergeant.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and was known for helping people whenever he could. He was a member of Elkhart Knights of Columbus Council 1043, Elkhart Moose Lodge 599, where he achieved the rank of Legionnaire, and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg.

Memorials may be given to the Richard L. Wilson Memorial Fund in care of Billings Funeral Home. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.