Edward Leo Wilson

Edward L. Wilson, 74, passed away at his home on Friday, July 22, 2011. Ed was born in Oklahoma City, OK on February 14, 1937, to G. B., Sr., and Marguerite (Busken) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers and their wives, G. B. (Bud) Wilson, Jr. (Alice) and Charles Wilson (Mary Ann). Ed is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen (Whitton) Wilson; four children, Chris Wilson (Kathy) of Oklahoma City, Debbie Thomas (Brett) of Tulsa, Vickie Parker (Brent) of Georgetown, TX, and Linda Ritchie (John) of Muskogee; 11 grandchildren, Matt (Aimee) and Kyle Thomas; Shelby Shields (Matt), Tyler, Kiley and Eric Parker; Megan and Sam Wilson; Emily, Alex and Christopher Ritchie; one great-grandchild, Adysun Thomas; and his sister, Sr. Margaret Ann Wilson of Chicago, IL. Ed graduated from St. Gregory’s High School in Shawnee, OK in 1955. He spent many years as a trim carpenter and home builder in Oklahoma City before retiring to a lake home in Eufaula. Ed enjoyed playing golf (especially with his buddies at Fountainhead), gardening, and spending time with family and friends. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Eufaula, OK for over 25 years. A wake service, celebrating Ed’s life, was held on Monday, July 25th, 6:00 p.m., at Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home, 401 N. Main St., Eufaula, OK 74432. The funeral service was 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 323 N. Virginia St., Muskogee, OK 74403. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (800-805-5856; www.stjude.org); Sisters of Providence, Office of Congregational Advancement, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876 (www.spsmw.org); or God’s Helping Hands, 107 McKinley St., Eufaula, OK 74432 (918-689-1800).