Ray Edward Wilson, 84, of Fife Lake passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 27, 2016. Ray was born January 9, 1932 in Grand Rapids to the late James W. Wilson and Helen C. Chick.
Ray proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from the late 1940s to 1950. He married Donna M. Downey on February 23, 1952 and raised four sons together. Ray helped start the Forest Area Credit Union and the American Legion Post 219 in Fife Lake. After retiring from Brooks & Perkins in Cadillac he started Wilson Logging/ timer Care Inc. working with his sons and retiring from that in 2009.
Ray loved being busy all the time. After Donna retired they traveled out West to visit friends Charlie and Shirley Parres and tried their luck at the casinos. After Donna passed away, Ray would have been lost if not for his family and friends, especially Bill Haskins who visited often when Ray was ill. Ray's favorite times were spent hunting, fishing, having a few drinks with friends, driving in the country and looking at trees, and spending time with Joker, Kat, and Gail.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Gail (Kaiser) Wilson; three sons, Donald (Brenda) Wilson, Michael (Cora) Wilson, and Daniel (Allison) Wilson; six grandchildren Michael Wilson, Erin Wilson, Jason Wilson, Chris Wilson, Heather Wilson, Hillary Wilson, Chelsea Wilson, and Joshua Morris; and six great-grandchildren.
Ray was the half brother to Rick (Liz) Campbell adn uncle of Thomas (Julie) Wilson, who was like a son to Ray.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, his first wife Donna - the mother of his four sons, his son Patrick Wilson, and his brothers Jack, Bob, and Jerry.
A graveside service is being planned at Clark/ Springfield Cemetery in Fife Lake for Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon following the service at the American Legion Post 219.
