Beloved father & grandfather, William Homer Wilson Sr., 83, of Crisfield died Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 at his home.

Born in Charleston, West Virginia on December 15th, 1927 he was the son of the late Leonard & Pearl (nee Spence) Wilson. William graduated from the Augusta Military Academy in Fort Defiance, Virginia in 1946. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper/medic in Japan, where he earned the World War II Victory Medal & the Army of Occupation Medal Japan.

After leaving the service, William moved to Washington D.C., where he met his first wife, Patricia Lee Wood with whom he had three sons. He worked in his father-in-law's construction business, before deciding to make use of his Army medical training. He studied nursing, and then began working with handicapped patients at Forest Haven in Laurel, Maryland.

In 1991, William moved to Crisfield, Maryland to fulfill a life-long dream of living near the water in a close-knit community. It was there that he met his second wife, Merlyn Shaw and began working at the Somerset Community Services Home in Marion as a day programmer assistant. "Mr. Will" was a favorite of everyone and truly enjoyed working with the clients and staff, helping in the production rooms, providing supervision in one of the many resident homes, or driving the buses and vans.

William enjoyed the water and for many years kept a boat at the Crisfield Marina. He loved dogs and was hardly seen without one by his side, including Queenie, Buffy, Cookie and finally, Dixie whom he rescued from a dumpster. William also found joy singing in the choir at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield where he was a long time member.

William is survived by his three sons: William H. "Billy" Wilson Jr & wife Brigitte of Severn, Maryland; Michael Robert Wilson & wife Melissa of Gaithersburg, Maryland; and Matthew Christopher "Chris" Wilson & wife, Patricia of Kensington, Maryland – and step-sons, John & Steven Brittingham of Virginia. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, which were the light of his life: Kelly, Nicholas, Robert, Matthew, Stephanie, Christa, Jenna, Michael, Jackie, Summer, and Maxwell Wilson; and Daniel & Benjamin Brittingham. William is also survived by his first wife Patricia, beloved sisters-in-law, Anne Saucier & Dee Wilson, niece & nephew Alice & Mark Wilson, and indispensable friend, Sharon Bell.

Along with his parents, William was preceded in death by his second wife, Merlyn and his brother, Leonard Merle Wilson.

In keeping with William's desire to help others, he has donated his body to the Maryland State Anatomy Board in the interest of medical research.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at 11:00AM at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Immanuel United Methodist Church, c/o Robert H. Bradshaw, Jr., 306 W. Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817 or the Humane Society of Somerset County, P.O. Box 493, Princess Anne, MD 21853.