Harry Charles Wilson, 96

Harry Charles Wilson, age 96, passed away Sept. 14, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Harry was born in Maple Shade, N.J., to John Henry and Lauressa Wilson and grew up in Maple Shade.   

Harry served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps in World War II from 1946 to 1952. 

On July 16, 1949, he married Nancy Lou Dreegar in Merchantville, N.J. Their oldest son, Frederick John, was born in August 1952, and Cindy Lou was born in July 1956. In April 1958, they moved to Downey, Calif. In August 1961, Nanette Suzanne was born. In 1964, the family moved to Garden Grove, Calif. Harry was a very hands-on Dad. He was a scout master for the Boy Scouts, a Little League coach and taught all of his kids how to camp, fish and love the outdoors. He would also play board games or baseball with the neighborhood kids when he was on the night shift. The kids would come and ask for Harry to come and play ball with them. He was also very involved with the community and the church. He served as a deacon for many years in the Presbyterian Church in Westminster, Calif., and Sun City, Ariz. He also volunteered to build homes for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered for 20 years at the food bank.

Harry was trained to be a plasterer by his father-in-law and worked in that field for 15 years. In 1967, Harry went to computer programming school and worked in that field until he retired in 1988. 

In 1988, Nancy and Harry moved to Sun City, Ariz., where they enjoyed their retired life golfing, traveling and spending time with her parents and other relatives who lived in the area. They rarely missed a monthly visit to their daughters back in California. Harry enjoyed reading, golfing, traveling, bowling and spending time with his children. In 2014, he and his wife moved to Palm Desert, Calif., to be closer to their daughters. In 2018, they moved to Garden Plaza of Post Falls, Idaho. 

Harry is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Bonnie Wilson, of Reno, Nev.; his daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Don Davis, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and Nanette and Rick Bicker, of Hayden, Idaho. They have three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Harry’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.