About 3 weeks ago our community lost one of my local heroes. His passage may have gone unnoticed by many of the people in it. The man that we lost was a blustery man of diminutive stature who often stayed behind the scenes but tirelessly served both our country and our community in Seattle. The man I am speaking of is Chuck Wilson.
Chuck was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama to Charles & Mary Wilson. He was an only child. He attended elementary & junior high schools in Tuscumbia, Ala and Sterling – Sheffield, Alabama. He graduated from Sterling High School in Sheffield, Alabama on June 5, 1956. After graduation he joined the US Navy and became an engineman and rose through the enlisted ranks to Chief Petty Officer before being appointed to Warrant Officer. While in the Navy he served on the heavy Cruiser USS Macon; Headquarters Commander Fleet Air Mediterranean in Naples, Italy; US Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit – West Milton, NY; Engineering Officer USS Whitehall- Cleveland, OH; Nuclear Power Ships superintendent – Naval Shipyard Bremerton, WA.
Chuck graduated from Officers Candidate school in 1966 before being discharged from the Navy in 1968 while stationed in Bremerton, WA.
Shortly after his naval discharge he went to work for Emerson Diesel during which time he met his lifetime partner Fugi in April of 1968. After leaving Emerson Diesel in 1969 he attended Northwest School of Business studying Computer programming until his graduation in 1970. After his graduation he went to work as a supervisor for Unigard Insurance until his retirement in March of 2000.
That is the life as a military public servant and private professional. The reason he is a hero to me though is this. In his spare time Chuck enjoyed working tirelessly in the community. He joined the Knights of Malta in 1973. During his 37 years with them he served as President, Vice President, Road Captain and Treasurer. He was also a member of the United Ebony Council and at one time a member of the Court of Seattle. Never one to shy away from saying what was on his mind he often was the person that would speak up and say the things that needed to be said rather than the things that were popular.
Chuck is survived by his life partner of 42 years Fugi and many friends. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Chuck Wilson Knights of Mantra Charity Fund to benefit those in need within our community.
A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 beginning at 2pm until 5pm at Martin’s Off Madison. Please join Fugi in remembering Chuck and his tireless spirit.
For more info visit www.jetchapterkofm.com.
– Aaron M.
