of Osceola, AR
September 28, 1921 - September 13, 2011
Ralph Edwin Wilson, Sr. was born September 28, 1921, to Emmett A. and Lillie Simmons Wilson, in Osceola, Arkansas. 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 is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann Murray Wilson, of the home; children Ralph and his wife Sally Wilson, 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.
Uncle Ralph will be missed but never forgotten.
Love you Uncle Ralph!
Ralph, I just read about your Dad and wanted to offer my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Gordon and I were so sorry to hear about your Dad. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Mary Ann,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and Ralph Sr have a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family.
Mary Ann and Don, I was so sorry to hear of Ralph's death. I want you to know I am thinking of you and your family during this time of grief. My prayers are with you.. May God comfort you.
Sis Long
Mary Ann & Family - I was saddened to hear of your loss. I have many fond memories of Ralph Sr. from the many Christmas drop-in's I attended to watching him play tennis with my father. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
You and Ralph bring back such great memories of growing up in Osceola. We want to express our Sympathy for your loss.
Sam and Bonnie Nickol
So sorry to hear about Ralph and will always remember the good times we had together there in Osceola. He was a fine man and always made me laugh. Give my love to all the Wilsons and especially "Lucy from Ethel"as that was what Ralph called Mary Ann and me. Wish I could be there for the services.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Wilson always brought a smile to my face when I had the honor to visit with him at Arkansas Bar Foundation related activities. He will truly be missed.
Ann Dixon Pyle, Executive Director
Arkansas Bar Foundation
wife and i are so sorry my maternal family are from Oceola,Driver & Wilson my father built the Florida mansion- although he was older than i,he knew my clan well i did contact Sis Long of Batesville,MS God bless you & your family, Ben Mac & Judy White
Dearest Mary Ann:: I am so very sorry for Ralph's passing.
There is no good time or way for someone to die. Our families have known each other for many, many years.
I want you to know that I am out here and c are. Please let me know if I can do anything for you and I hope my English passes.
Love, Floy Nickol Blustein
Thoughts & prayers are with you all. Ralph was a great man & will be missed. What a tremendous honor you give him with your family legacy in Kiwanis.
Ralph, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad lived a full, wonderful life, had a long happy marriage, saw his family grow up, and left a great legacy of service. His life was so much like my father's, both men hardened by the Great Depression, living through WWII, getting higher educations, raising beautiful families. I pray you are comforted that he is perfect now in heaven and we can all strive to see him again. God Bless The Wilson Family
Debbie and I are saddened by your loss. Your family is strong, and our thoughts andprayers arewith you all.
Ya'll have our deepest sympathy. We like Ralph so much.
On behalf of our family, we would like to express condolences to the Wilson Family. Ralph was a good friend to our family (Wallace Jackson's family) in the years that we lived in Osceola. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Pat W. Jackson Neal and family
We are deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Ralph was a very special, quality person to us and was a remarkable example to Osceola, the State of Arkansas, and the United States. We feel privileged to have known him and honored to count him as our friend. Mrs. Wilson, may God bless you and the family; you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Ralph, Jr., Mary Ann and all: I am so saddened by Mr. Wilson's death. What an incredible contribution he made to our world! We, who grew up in Osceola, were blessed by the example he set for us all. He was a good and honest man - a beautiful person, inside and out. He is surely rejoicing with the angels now though he will be missed by many here on earth. My love to each of you in this time of sadness, especially to you, Mary Ann. I know the coming days will be hard for you but have peace in knowing that you will see him again soon.
Sorry to hear of about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
I am so saden by the death of your Father, Ral;ph. Our blessings and prayers go with you dutibg this time of need.
I was saddened to hear of Ralph's death. He was a wonderful man and family friend. He and my father, D. Fred Taylor, shared many years of friendship. We were all blessed having him in our lives.
SORRY TO GET THE EXPETED NEWS ABOUT MY EX-ROOMATE. YOU HAVE OUR PRAYERS AND BESR WISHES. BB
Mary Ann and family. I was deeply saddened to read about Mr. Wilson death. At least he is at peace now. May God bless you in this time. You all are in our prayers and thoughts.
Mary Ann and family - I feel like we lost another part of Daddy. Ralph was such a good fried to D.Fred, maybe now they can have that Scotch and share memories. God bless you all, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Louise
I am so sorry for your loss. Ralph was a wonderful person and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Susan
Judge Wilson, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time... Numbers Chapter 6 ; 24-26.
Mary Ann--so sorry to learn of your loss--lots of memories.Phil joins me in sending thughts and love.
Jane
Mary Ann and family -- we are so sorry to hear about Ralph -- we know that it has been a long hard struggle but that you will miss him nonetheless
Uncle Ralph is the greatest of the greats!!!!!!!!! Love him so very dearly. He is home now with his parents, and all his brothers and sister, and Patrick. Among his frieinds as well.....I will miss him very much. He will stay in my heart forever.......God Bless you Mary Ann, Don, Terry, And R.J.
Ann Wilson
September 14, 2011
Mr. Wilson had a wonderful and interesting life and was a valued community leader in Osceola, our state, and our country. Osceola, in particular, was fortunate to have such a professional person, contributor, and friend for so many years.
As the family and many friends and colleagues gather in Osceola tomorrow, I know there will be a delightful celebration of not only Mr. Wilson's life but of his many contributions to all of us.
Cindy Middleton
May God rest this good man in peace and give his family comfort. To Sally (from the other Sally), may God give you and your good family His incredible peace and strength.
Dear Mary Ann and family...
I am deeply sorry for the loss of 'Uncle Ralph"...he was a huge part of my life and I will love and remember him always...
Love, Diane
I go way down memory lane when I think of this wonderful family; our families. Good friends and many happy times. Mr. Wilson always said he wanted me to take his blood, because I didn't hurt him. Now an angel to hurt no more! With a few more angels I know. I will miss you my friend Love Susan
So sorry to hear of your loss. Ralph will be missed by so many. Prayers are with you.