Obituary of Ralph A. Wilson

Ralph A. Wilson, 86, of 2706 Garfield Rd. Jamestown, NY passed away unexpectedly at 9:02 a.m. Wednesday (January 5, 2011) in the emergency room of W.C.A. Hospital. A lifelong area resident he was born September 3, 1924 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late Ralph K. and Ellen Johnson Wilson. He was a graduate of the former Lakewood High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from March 12, 1943 to December 15, 1945 during World War II with the 87th Mountain Infantry 10th Mountain Division. In earlier years he was employed by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Electric Division. He served as a journeyman electrician for several years and later was a private electrician owning and operating Wilson Electric in Lakewood for many years. Before his retirement he was an electrical inspector for the New York State Board of Fire Underwriters in the Chautauqua County area for 25 years. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather who loved to go fishing with family and friends. He also loved socializing with his many friends and enjoyed cooking. He was a Life Member of the Herman Kent Post # 777 American Legion, a member of the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, the Jamestown Moose Lodge and Mt. Moriah Lodge # 145 Free and Accepted Masons. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, the former Muriel Jean Loop whom he married September 19, 1944 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, his children Jeffrey (Pam) Wilson of Lakewood, Debra (Larry) Ammons of Mt. laurel, NJ, Julie (Thomas) Brown of Lakewood, Carrie (Greg) Edwards of Jamestown, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and a sister Sandra (Raymond) Wickmark of West Ellicott. Beside his parents he was preceded in death by a son Terry M. Wilson who died Jan. 18, 2000 and a sister Carol L. Hine. The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Steven M. Taylor, pastor of the Panama United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 3-5p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Busti Fire Department, Mill St. Jamestown, NY 14701