Sidney Warlick Wilson

Sidney Warlick Wilson, 84, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 25, 2012. Sid was born Dec. 2, 1927, the son of Sidney and Florence Wilson of Ponca City, Okla. Sid graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in Ponca City, Okla., attended Oklahoma State University, and in 1971 received his Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from San Jose State University in California. He worked a full and eventful career before retiring from AP&L (Entergy). Sid served 20 years in the United States Army with the Criminal Investigation Division. He is a Vietnam veteran with 3 Legion of Merit's, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and numerous Service Medals. He also served as Chief of Police of the Norman, Okla. Police Department; Captain of Police for the Ponca City, Okla. Police Department, and briefly served in the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, Ponca City Fire Dept. and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He proudly belonged to the Kaw and Osage Nations. Sid was very active in local issues close to his heart. Earning his pilot's license in 1987, Sid became active in the Arkansas Civil Air Patrol and reached the rank of colonel as the organization's Arkansas wing commander. His passionate drive to educate the children and people of Arkansas brought him to a seat on the board of the Arkansas Aerospace Education Center. Sid was an active member of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in downtown Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; brother, Charles Wilson; sister, Patty Jean Wilson; first wife, Wilma Mae (Leche) Wilson, and son-in-law Dan Hewes. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Rosemary Fritz Wilson; sons, Sidney W. Wilson (Ann) of Ponca City, Okla., Matthew D. Wilson of Little Rock, Ark., and Kevin A. Wilson (Jennifer) of Rogers, Ark.; daughters, Cheryl Ann Wilson of Albuquerque, N.M., and Tracy Kalytiak (Roman) of Palmer, Alaska. Sid's love also extended to Gwen Kincaid and Scott Westerman as being part of this family. He loved and adored his nine grandchildren: Sean Wilson, Shannon (Brian) Tighe, Rusty (Krystal) Wilson, Kaci Wilson, Reed Hewes, Bryant Hewes, Sidney A. Wilson, Audrey Wilson and Nina Kalytiak, and was blessed with six great-grandchildren: Tyler Rhoads, Brennan Tighe, Abby Tighe, Shane Wilson, Phoenix and Journey Wilson. He will be missed by his loving sister, Suzie Braden of Ponca City, Okla., and her children, and his sister-in-law, Peggy Wilson of Ponca City, Okla., and her children. Sid had many other relatives and friends he cherished deeply, especially his good friend Jim Thomey, for whom he will be waiting at the 19th Hole in the Sky. Visitation will be at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark., from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Catholic funeral mass celebrated by Father Matthew Garrison will take place at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 29, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 617 Louisiana St., Little Rock, Ark. Interment will be private at the Arkansas National Cemetery with full military honors on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 10 a.m. He loved his family and he loved his country. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Arkansas Children's Hospital, #1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.