More detail on this person: COL (RET) GENE
WILSON, 82, of Lakewood WA died Thursday,
December 8, 2016 after a 7 year battle with
Corticobasal Degeneration (a Parkinsonism). Born
in Shinnston, WVA in 1934, West Point graduate,
raised a family with his wife, Ellie, enjoyed a 30
year career in the U.S. Army plus 10 years as a
civilian employee before retiring in Washington.
A memorial will be held at Christ Lutheran Church
in Lakewood on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at
1:00PM. Reception following. A full obituary may
be seen at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
COL (RET) DONALD EUGENE "GENE"
WILSON
Gene was born May 27, 1934 to Lester "Buck" and
Edna "Edd" Wilson in Shinnston, West Virginia.
Eugene was the preferred name by his mother_
hence, Gene. Gene was called away by his Maker
on December 8, 2016 at the age of 82 after a
valiant 7-year battle with Corticobasal
Degeneration.
Gene went through school in Shinnston and
completed 2 years of pre-engineering at Fairmont
State College before receiving an appointment to
the United States Military Academy. After
graduating and being commissioned in Artillery
June 1958, attending additional training programs
and getting his wings as an Army Aviator, his
first tour of duty was Bad Hersfeld, Germany with
3/14th Armored Cav Regiment Aviation Section as
the East-West German Border pilot. It was here
that Captain Gene Wilson met Ellie Gabler, a
"school-marm" from California teaching 4th/5th
grade on the Army Post. Their year-long courtship
and marriage on January 12, 1963 led to 54 years
of raising 3 children, 18 moves, many friends and
new adventures.
Gene's military career of 30+ years provided us
the opportunity to travel and explore. He was an
avid reader of military history. Washington D.C.
area was one of those places where history could
be found around any corner. It was here that Gene
was able to attend night school at American
University and earn his Masters Degree. Gene
found his assignments challenging and rewarding,
especially if he could fulfill his passion of
flying. The 220th Aviation Company was one of the
highlights of his career. Gene took pride in
knowing his troops, always looking out for their
welfare. His assignments included -- two tours
in Germany, two in Vietnam, one in Korea;
stateside - Fort Sill OK, Fort Bliss TX, Battle
Creek MI, Fort Leavenworth KS, Washington D.C.,
Onalaska WI, Fort Lewis WA and Boise ID,
Governor's Advisor to the National Guard. His
military retirement in 1988 was followed by
Manager of JAC-ACAP at Fort Lewis.
Gene was dedicated as much to his family as his
military obligations. He also took pride in the
accomplishments of his wife and three children and
supported their activities even when he was away
from home - by phone or through letters and tape
recordings. (No cell phones or face-time yet)
Family activities included sports of all kinds,
camping, hiking, biking, fishing, coaching,
refereeing soccer, gardening, music and coin
collecting. Gene was also actively engaged with
several organizations - Boy Scouts, the Oakbrook
Swim and Tennis Club, Normanna Male Chorus of
Tacoma, Fort Lewis Military Museum, MOWW,
Lakewood Racquet & Sport Club, 220thAviation
Company Historian, the West Point Ski Club, the
Puget Sound Miata Club and Treasurer of
Stonebriar HOA 7-A. Gene, a loving and giving
man, touched the lives of many people and will be
missed.
Gene is survived by his wife, Ellie of Lakewood,
daughter, Genevieve of Oakland CA, son, Doug,
wife Suzy, granddaughters, Maddie and Emily of St.
Charles MO, Son Chris, wife Teresa and grandson,
Michael of Folsom CA, his brother Richard Wilson
of Clarksburg WV, sister-in-law Joan Poimiroo and
her family of El Dorado Hills CA, brother-in-law
Walt Gabler and his family of Ukiah CA.
We also wish to thank Jodie, Bethany, Tammy and
the staffs of Madigan Hospital, Toby Jones Care
Center and Franciscan Hospice of University Place
for their kindness and support during Gene's last
journey with us. Rather than flowers please
consider a gift to Brain Support Network, PO Box
7264, Menlo Park, California 94026-7264 - a 501c3
non-profit organization.
Visit the website of
www.220thaviationcompany.org/genewilson for
additional information.
This information was last updated 03/30/2021
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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