Raymond L. Wilson Sr.

Raymond L. Wilson Sr., age 81 of Sunrise, Minn., passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 at Parmly Lifepointes in Chisago City, Minn. Raymond was born on Feb. 3, 1936 in Zanesville, Ohio to parents, Emra and Iva (Caldwell) Wilson. He served is country for two years in the U.S. Air Force and after his discharge moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he worked in the tree trimming and roofing business. He later moved to Little Rock, Ark., and started Ray's Tree Service which he ran for several years before moving to Missoula, Mont. He married Sharon Edwards on Feb. 14, 1986 in Helena. Ray and Sharon also lived in Russell Springs, Ky; Helena, Mont.; Lake City, Fla., and eventually settling in the Sunrise, Minn., area. Ray loved hunting and fishing, time with Sharon and his family and going to church. Ray was a faithful member of the Apostolic Church and did preaching in the church when he lived in Little Rock and Helena. Raymond is survived by his wife Sharon, children, Melanie Wilson of Land O Lakes, Fla.; Michael Wilson of Hudson, Fla., Marcella (John) Lederer of Lincoln, Neb., Rayana Piesco of Land O Lakes, Fla.; Raymond Wilson Jr. of New Port Richie, Fla.; Crystal (Donald) Brown of Trinity, Fla., stepchildren, Thomas Hampton of Lexington, Ohio; Bruce (Sharon) Hampton of Sunrise, Minn., and Terri (Travis) Haeseker of Lexington, Ohio; his 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two adopted grandchildren, Eric (Jessica) Wilson and Aaron (Christine) Wilson. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Rebecca Wilson, brothers, Cebert Wilson, Franklin Wilson and James Wilson. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at the Apostolic Gospel Church in Harris with Pastor Alan Hosch officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday, Sept. 9th. Family interment will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Apostolic Gospel Church in Harris, Minn. Arrangements are under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch. Condolences maybe expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.