James Doyle Wilson

James Doyle Wilson, 99, died peacefully at home at 5:28 a.m., 12 September, 2014. Born 16 May, 1915 in a one-room hand-hewn plank cabin homesteaded in Hazel Valley, in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. He was oldest of nine children of the late Ernest and Bertha (Andersen) Wilson. Jim graduated from Fayetteville High School on 24 May, 1935. In the midst of the Great Depression, Jim was a migrant worker, picked cotton in Texas, harvested wheat in the mid-west, lumbered-jacked in Colorado as well as working in the rodeo. He learned carpentry and became Carpenter Foremen in Alton, Illinois in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1942, was assigned to the PT Boat Division as Chief Carpenter's Mate. He was stationed at Tulagi Island in the Solomons serving in Squadron 5, which included PT109 (JFK). He then served 16 months as instructor at Melville Island, Rhode Island to teach Hull Repair. He met his first wife Maryanna there. After an Honorable Discharge in September 1945, Jim returned to carpentry in Alton, Illinois. In 1946, with a hefty shove from his wife, Jim continued his education. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1950 with a Degree in Architectural Engineering, then accepted a position of Assistant to Director of Physical Plant til July 1953. Jim then moved his family to Hanover, N.H., became Director of Buildings and Grounds for Dartmouth College till January 1969, then Resident Engineer till January 1971 when he retired. Jim and his wife Maryanna joined the Peace Corps and served the poor indigenous in Guatemala C.A. for three years. While there he developed clean water systems, schools, medical clinics, and bridges for the rural people. These were his most rewarding experiences. Jim and Maryanna returned to the United States in 1973, moved to Auburn in 1974, to be with their three children that were attending the University. While there he became interim Director of Buildings and Grounds in January 1975. In July 1979, Jim retired for the last time and decided to remain in Auburn. Jim was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He was very active in the church serving on the Parish Council. Jim was also active in the community of Auburn serving on the Zoning Board and Rotary Club. Jim was a lively traveler in retirement, and was able to visit six of the seven continents. Jim is survived by his wife Dorothy Harris Wilson, married when he was 95 in January 2011. Jim was predeceased by his second wife Evelyn Ruth Hoerlein Wilson whom he married on 25 April 1992. Stepchildren include Sue, Joan, Mary, and Richard. Step-grandchildren include Barton, Sam, Kathryn, Benjamin, and Richie. Jim married Maryanna Barbara Rypysc Wilson on 7 October 1944. Children include James C. Wilson and wife Joan, Thomas L. Wilson and wife Nancy, Janice M. Wilson and fiancé William D. Coluzzi, and Robert F. Wilson and wife Brenda. Jim "Boompa" will be sorely missed by his grandchildren James T., Christian, Michael (deceased), John, Joseph, Daniel, Terrance, Donovan, Jasmine, Steffan, Nathanael, Amanda, and great-grandchildren, Lisa, James, Brittany, Mia Marie, Katlynn, Emma, Cale, Riley. Jim is also survived by his sister Marie Skelton and her husband Quenton, his sister Imogene Stout, his sister Loretta and her husband Joe Garrison, his brother Daily, his brother Ralph and his wife Mary Ellen. Jim was predeceased by his brothers Edwin, Kirby, Reuel. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. James Doyle Wilson will be held at 11 a.m., September 20, 2014, at Saint Michael's Catholic Church in Auburn with burial in the Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery. Father William J. Skoneki will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, 19 September, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is directing. www.FrederickDean.com. Funerals & Cremations since 1900.