Ralph Edwin Wilson Sr.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Mr. Ralph Edwin Wilson Sr. was born Sept. 28, 1921, to Emmett A. and Lillie Simmons Wilson, in Osceola. He was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Emmett A. Wilson Jr., Denver Wilson and Jack (Clarence) Wilson; and his two sisters, Lurlene Wilson Perkins and Dorothy Wilson Butler.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann Murray Wilson of the home;

His children, Ralph Wilson and his wife, Sally, of Osceola, Terry Wilson Shafer, of Dallas and Don Wilson of Osceola;

Six grandchildren, Allison Shafer Egner, Ralph E. (Win) Wilson III, Kelly Wilson, Meredith Shafer, Debra Wilson Bell, and Lance Wilson; and

Three great-grandchildren, Ava Wilson, Ralph E. (Win) Wilson IV, and Luke Egner.

He attended the U.S. Naval Academy (1943), and graduated from Union University (A.B., 1946), and obtained his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1949. He served as a navigator and achieved the rank of Lieutenant in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II, USNR, 1943-45. His ship was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean and the survivors were rescued by a British gunboat.

He practiced law in Osceola from 1949 until 2011. He was the first city Attorney for Osceola. He served as deputy prosecuting attorney for the 2nd Judicial District from 1950-53. He served on the Osceola City Council from 1958-1961. He was joined in the partnership of Wilson & Wilson by his son Ralph from 1975-1989. He briefly served by gubernatorial appointment as Osceola Municipal Judge. He served as special assistant to the Arkansas Attorney General from 1956-60. He was a member of the Osceola Bar Association (past president), the Arkansas Bar Association, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, and was admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.

He was a lifelong member of the Osceola First United Methodist Church, having served as Lay Leader, Chairman of the Administrative Board, and Sunday School Teacher of the Pigg/Wilson Men's Class for over 37 years.

He was a member of the Osceola Kiwanis Club, having served as club president, and had over 56 years perfect attendance. He also served as lieutenant governor and governor of the Missouri-Arkansas Kiwanis District (1962); Kiwanis International Trustee, 1966-1970; and Kiwanis International Vice President, 1970-71. He was also a Kiwanis International Foundation George F. Hixon Fellow and Tablet of Honor recipient.

He was a life member of the American Legion, the VFW, Alpha Tau Omega college social fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta honorary legal fraternity, and Tau Kappa Alpha. He received the Arkansas House and Senate Concurrent Resolutions Commendation in 1971.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife and visited over eighty countries and all but one continent. He was an avid sports fan. His favorite baseball team was the St. Louis Cardinals. The Arkansas Razorbacks was his favorite football team, followed by the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church in Osceola. Funeral services will be held 10 Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Osceola with burial following at Mississippi County Memorial Gardens. An online guestbook is available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com