Donald Wayne Wilson

Donald Wayne Wilson was born on January 20th, 1931, to Louis & Gladys Wilson of Ponca City, Oklahoma. During his childhood, Don attended public schools. In 1947, at the age of 16, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country proudly, during the Korean Conflict. After returning home, Don married the loved of his life Carol Jean Pruitt on December 13th, 1948 in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The following year they welcomed their first born, a son, Donald Gene Wilson on October 8th, 1949; followed by a daughter (a daddy’s girl) Sharon Lynn Wilson on February 18, 1952, and many years to follow had the blessing and honor of raising their grandson, Donny Wayne Wilson, born April 3rd, 1966.

Don and his family moved to Sacramento California in February of 1959, where Don took up employment as a welder/pipe fitter for the local union 447. As a faithful and hardworking man, he remained a member of the union for more than 50 years.

In 1976, Don opened “Do it in the Dunes” a weekend ATV rental business in Pismo Beach, California. For many years they enjoyed weekend vacations in the sand dunes as well as befriending many celebrity clients. In 1980, Don was ready for a change and moved his family to Cleveland Oklahoma; where he pursued his dream of building their family home, a log cabin, out in God’s wilderness. Don, along with his wife started a new business after moving to Oklahoma, properly entitled, “Don’s Muffler Shop”. In 1992, he was joined by his son Donald Gene, and together they had the pleasure of doing business with one another and enjoying family life. They operated the shop until Don’s retirement in 2007.

Don was a faithful follower of Christ. As a Christian, he knew how to serve God and others. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma. In 1984, Don was signed into the Local Masonic Lodge where he enjoyed being a Mason. His servant’s heart gave him the opportunity to carry on as their Worshipful Master in the years of 1988, 1990, 1997, 1998 & 2000.

Don was surrounded in love by so many. He fought hard for the love of his country and his family. His legacy is long but full of life. He showed admiration, respect, and wrote little love notes to the love of his life for 67 years. He was full of life, laughter and loved to tease people (especially the nurses who cared for him from time to time). Don was well known around town for his passion of NASCAR races, golf cart rides in his overalls, his love of reading Stephen King and James Patterson books, his hobby of tinkering with VW Trikes and always had a bucket of candy next to him at home and a pocket full in church. He will be greatly missed by many but loved forever by all.

Don passed from this life peacefully with his family by his side on February 6, 2016, at his home in Cleveland at the age of 85 years seventeen days.

Don is proceeded in death by his parents Louis and Gladys Wilson; both brothers Maynard Wilson and Leonard “Dink” Wilson, as well as his sister Sondra “Dudie” Williams. He is survived by his wife Carol Wilson of Cleveland, Oklahoma, his son, Donald Wilson of Ada, Oklahoma, his daughter and son in law, Sherry and Ken McGee of Cleveland Oklahoma, and along with his eight grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, as well as 6 great-great grandchildren.
Services for Don will be Wednesday February 10, 2016 at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church 201 Crestview Dr, Cleveland, Oklahoma 74020. Graveside will follow at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

The family has set up a GO FUND ME account as well as a memorial account at the Citizens Security Bank in Cleveland Oklahoma in memoriam of Don. Proceeds from donations will be donated to Don’s charity of choice the Cleveland Area Food Pantry.