Funeral services for Ray G. Wilson, age 87, will be held 3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Northside United Methodist Church, with Don
Thrasher officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 24,
2011 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., at Arrington Funeral Directors.
Mr. Wilson was born February 23, 1924 in Pittsburg, KS, the son of the
late Ira and Stella Wilson. He enlisted, after graduation from Pittsburg
High School, in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He became a
paratrooper in the 508th Regiment and jumped on D-Day into Normandy. He
later became a squad leader of 12 men in the parachute infantry squad
and fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was wounded in
Holland and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Silver
Star medal in Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge. Other awards included
the Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal and the Belgium Fourragere. He returned to Europe for the 50th and
65th anniversaries of D-Day where the veterans were honored as the
liberators of France, Belgium and Holland.
After WWII, he graduated from the University of Arizona and pursued a
career in Journalism. He worked as city editor of the Greenville News in
Greenville, SC and the Press-Scimitar in Memphis, TN. His lifelong
career of writing included 14 books, including Swastika Smashers, and
numerous poems and essays, including Isn't God's Hug Good? He also was
the Jackson Symphony League Newsletter editor for several years. He
enjoyed being one of the few male members of the Jackson Symphony
League.
He was devoted to writing/giving poems and essays emphasizing God's love
and blessings to everyone he met. His Christian faith was evident
through his writings, as well as his membership in Emmaus, Northside
United Methodist Church, Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Saturday
Morning Men's Bible Study.
He was the oldest member of Gold's Gym and worked out with weights
regularly until his fall in 2010. He emphasized the importance of a
healthy vegetarian diet and regular exercise in his writings as well.
He leaves four daughters, Cynthia Carruth (Larry) of Jackson, TN, Astrid
Smith (Jimmy Sr.) of Arlington, TN, Kristin Kitchen of Memphis, TN and
Camille Harper (Terry Sr.) of Memphis, TN; six grandchildren, Stephanie
Kurita of Nashville, TN, Eric Carruth of Memphis, TN, Jeremy Kitchen of
Memphis, TN, Jimmy Smith, Jr. of Arlington, TN, Terry Harper, Jr. of
Memphis, TN and Ingrid Harper of Memphis, TN; two great-grandchildren,
Marin Wilson Kurita of Nashville, TN and Carsten Smith of Arlington, TN.
He made his final jump on May 20, 2011.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, (731) 668-1111.
www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com |
(courtesy of B. Holland)
Ray enlisted in the Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 8
October 1942.
Pvt Wilson was transferred to
Company B, 508th PIR in Camp Blanding FL on 21 October 1942. The same
day that the regiment was officially activated.
Ray served with Company B
throughout WWII. He fought in Normandy for 33 days before the regiment
was relieved and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge as well s the
Bronze Service Arrowhead device.
He made his second jump into
Holland on 17 September 1944. He was wounded two days late and evacuated to
a field hospital but rejoined the regiment on 29 November 1944.
Pfc Wilson was awarded the
Silver Star for gallantry in action during the Battle of The Bulge
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