Don Wilson

Don Lee Wilson, 83, of Clovis, NM died Friday, June 3, 2011 at his home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Carlos Chavez officiating. Rosary will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be Don L. Wilson, Jr., Scott A. Wilson, David M. Wilson, Michael J. Wilson, Austin P. Wilson and Tyler J. Wilson

Don was born April 30, 1928, to Russell Wilson and Ruth Mast Wilson in St. Ignatius, Montana. He graduated from Frenchtown High School, Frenchtown, Montana where he played basketball.

After graduation, he worked for the Forestry Department packing parachutes for Smoke Jumpers and driving a logging truck. He served in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He served in many foreign countries including: Japan, Canada, Morocco, Germany and Spain. The highlight of his career was being awarded the AirTrafficControl Facility of the Year while he served as Chief Controller with the 2135th Communications Squadron at Ramstein, Germany. The unit was hailed for their superior and sustained rate of efficiency during the period under review and for its proficiency in handling exceptional air traffic workloads and many problems and emergency situations. He retired from Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, NM on August 1st, 1974 after completing over 25 years of honorable service to his country.
After his retirement from the military service, he worked for ATSI armed transport moving important bank documents from Clovis to Albuquerque for several local banks. Additionally, he was the Service Manager for Benders Cadillac Oldsmobile for several years and later he operated his own small lawn service business in Clovis taking care of the Pop Warner football and little league baseball fields, donating numerous hours to their upkeep. Don enjoyed the great outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman and coached little league baseball for a number of years.

He is survived by his wife, Rosella of their home four sons, Don Wilson, Jr. and wife Wanda of Mesa, AZ, Scott Wilson and wife Ellen of Rio Rancho, NM, David Wilson and wife Shori of Highlands Ranch, CO, Michael Wilson and wife Cathie of Sacramento, CA seven grandchildren, Kylee Wilson, Taryn Wilson, Jaimie Blevins, Sarah Wilson, Lari Wilson, Austin Wilson, Tyler Wilson and one great grandchild Audrey Wilson. He is also survived by his sister, Bette Lillethun of Ronan, Montana. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Ruth and Russell.

Memorial donations may be made to the COPD Foundation co COPD Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Avenue, Suite 302, Miami, FL 33133.

Arrangements are by SteedTodd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, New Mexico 88101 575 7635541. Visit www.steedtodd.com to sign the online guestbook.

Service

Rosary

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
911 Merriwether
Clovis, NM  88101
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
6:00 p.m.

Mass

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
911 Merriwether
Clovis, NM  88101
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
10:00 a.m.

Memorial Contributions

2937 SW 27th Avenue, Suite 302
Miami, FL  33133