He was born Nov. 12, 1937, in Elkhart to Ellsworth and Pauline (Hendershot) Wilson. On Aug. 17, 1957, in Angola, he married Marian F. "Fran" Fruchey.

She survives, along with two daughters, Robin (Timothy) Linton of Elkhart and Kimberly (Charles) Soard of Mesa, Ariz.; three granddaughters; five great-grandsons; and two brothers, Richard (Frances) Wilson of Edwardsburg, Mich., and Roger (Jean) Wilson of White Pigeon, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Victor Wilson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Friday funeral service, all at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Catherine Koziatek of New Salem United Methodist Church, Granger, will officiate. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery, on the grounds of the church. A Masonic service will take place at 7 p.m. today, conducted by members of St. Joseph Scottish Rite Lodge 45.

Mr. Wilson had worked at Bendix Corp. in South Bend as a maintenance millwright for nearly 10 years. After leaving there in 1985, he spent 15 years at Central States Steel Fabrication in Elkhart until he retired in 2002. He was a member of St. Joseph Scottish Rite Lodge 45, attended New Salem United Methodist Church and had served as assistant chief for the Cleveland Township Fire Department for nearly 10 years.

Mr. Wilson was a 1956 graduate of Elkhart High School and was an accomplished, self-taught musician who enjoyed sharing his talent on the organ, harmonica and stringed instruments with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, boating, riding his motorcycle and traveling to places such as Tahiti, Hawaii, Alaska and across the United States. During the holidays, he was always asked to make his special fudge for his friends and family.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com