Wayne Freeland Wilson

Wayne Freeland Wilson, age 93, of Rogue River, Oregon died Saturday, January 21, 2012 at his home.

He was born April 27, 1918 in Rothiemay, Montana to Frank and Loverna Wilson. He grew up on the west coast, and graduated from Litchfield High School in Arizona. He was recruited by the Chicago White Sox but decided to attend Oregon State College where he met Mary Suttle who he married in Eugene in 1941. She died January, 2005.

He worked at the Benton Mine near Galice as a hard rock miner and as a timber cruiser before being drafted during World War II. After serving in the Philippines and Japan, they moved to Grants Pass to raise their family. He worked as a carpenter then went to work at Grants Pass Loggers’ Supply, and eventually retired from Roley’s Pacific Supply.

Wayne loved fishing, camping, reading and watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports.

Survivors include daughters, Loverna Wilson of Corvallis, Betty (Del) Schultz of Rogue River, Marj (Darrol) Jameson of Medford and sons, Wayne Jr. (Elaine) of Pleasanton, California and Bob (Patricia) of Grants Pass as well as 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Foots Creek Chapel, 913 Foots Creek Road, Gold Hill.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Red Cross, 60 Hawthorne Street, Medford, Oregon 97504 or Pregnancy Care Center, PO Box 5040, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527.