Obituary
William Hobart Wilson Jr. age 90 of Gallipolis went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saturday morning June 8, 2024 at St. Mary’s Medical Center after an extended illness. Born November 10, 1933 in Gallipolis, he was the son of the late William H. Wilson Sr. and Pribble Nell Wilson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his wife, Beverly Lee Mink Wilson, son, Stephen Wilson and brothers, Bill Wilson and John Wilson.
He is survived by a daughter, Brenda Wilson, son, Keith (Katrina) Wilson, grandchildren, Nick Wilson and Jeremy (Madelynn) Wilson and great grandsons, Wesley Allen and soon to arrive Bodie Jay Wilson. He is also survived by a brother, George (Cory) Wilson, a sister-in-law, Barbara Sisson along with several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Wilson was a 1952 graduate of Gallia Academy High School and he attended Ohio University and Rio Grande College. Jr., as he was known to most, was associated with the Gallipolis Daily Tribune for more than 50 years.
Wilson first joined the Tribune on September 9, 1944 as a paper carrier. The Tribunes late publisher, Harold W. Wetherholt then hired Wilson in the mail room in 1947 on a part time basis during his junior high days. Wilson then began as an apprentice in the paper’s composing room in 1952 while attending college. While attending college, Wilson joined the Tribune’s sports staff as a part time writer in 1955. He was later named sports editor by the late, Robert Myers of Dear Publications in 1955 before being drafted by the U.S. Army in October 1956.
Wilson served 16 months in Korea with the Fourth U.S. Army. He served as editor of two newspapers while there, the Quarterman and Ascom Logger.
Wilson resumed his sports editor’s duties upon his return from Korea in August 1958. On February 23, 1960 Wilson was named managing editor by the papers then publisher, Richard S. (Dick) Owens.
Wilsons life was interrupted a second time by the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis on October 1, 1961. Wilson was recalled to active duty while a member of the Point Pleasant, WV. National Guard as a member of the 3664th Ordinance Co. While at Ft. Polk, LA, Wilson helped organize a post newspaper, The peacemaker. He served as editor of the newspaper for 10 months.
He resumed his duties at the Tribune again after returning from Ft. Polk on July 1, 1962. He was named Editor on February 6, 1967, replacing retiring editor, Dwight C. Wetherholt. On June 9, 1979 Wilson was named executive editor by the late Robert (Bob) Wingett, publisher, a position he held until his retirement on November 27, 1998.
Wilson led a stellar life and was involved with many organizations, a former member and past secretary of the Southeastern Ohio Athletic Sportswriters and Radio Broadcasters Association, President of the Southeastern Ohio Newspaper Association in 1964-1965, active in numerous organizations, including the Gallipolis Athletic Boosters, GAHS 200 Club, Rio Grande Redman Athletic Boosters, charter member and past president of the Gallipolis Lions Club, Gallipolis Chamber of Commerce, Community Improvement Corporation, VFW #4464, served as the Gallia County Junior Fair publicity chairman for more than 20 years and a former member of the K of P Lodge.
In 1993, Wilson was presented an honorary membership into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association. Other awards include GAHS 200 Club’s Lifetime Achievement honors in 1999, selection into the Ohio Prep Writers Association Hall of Fame at the Ohio States boys state tournament in Columbus in March, 1997, the Ohio School Association’s Media Service Award at Ohio University in March, 1999, Gallia Academy High School’s Athletic Boosters Hall of Fame in September 2003. Wilson received the Melvin Jones Fellowship honor from the Lions Clubs International Foundation in July 2004 (the highest individual form of recognition conferred by that foundation.)
The family wishes to extend their gracious thanks to Jr.’s in home caregivers, Carla Crawford, Mia Patterson, Teri Plants and Mindy Smith as well as the staff from Holzer Home Health and the Gallipolis and Huntington VA Home Health Doctors, Nurses and Therapists for taking such great care of Dad at home. We also extend our thanks to the staff of Holzer Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center for taking care of Dad during his stays over the last year.
We love and will miss you Pops !
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM. Thursday June 13, 2024 at the Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:00 AM until the time of service.
Military Funeral Honors will be presented at the cemetery by the VFW #4464 Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either the Gallipolis Lions Club or to the Gallia Academy Athletic Boosters in Jr.’s memory.
An online guest registry is available at waugh-halley-wood.com
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