Raymond Wilson

A Celebration of a Life Well Lived Raymond Eugene Wilson - 1919 - 2011 Raymond E. Wilson, 92, of Cheyenne peacefully passed on to his next great adventure May 31, at the Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Center in Fort Collins, CO. A 73 year resident of Cheyenne, he was a devoted son, loving husband and father, and wonderful grandfather and great grandfather. He lived life fully with integrity and honesty, a keen sense of humor, sense of community service, and strong spiritual base. Ray was born January 7, 1919, in Kansas City, MO, and adopted by Horace (HR) and Maebelle Wilson. Graduating from Billings High School in Montana, he moved with his folks to Cheyenne in 1938, where his father started Wilson Equipment and Supply Company. He met his wife Bonnie Z. Gewecke at the First United Methodist Church in Cheyenne, where they have been members for seventy years. He attended Northwestern University and the University of Colorado, until World War II interrupted his studies. He enlisted in the Army, and married Bonnie in Tacoma, Washington June 21,1942. His daughter Judy was born in 1943, prior to his deployment overseas. He was Commissioned through OCS as an infantry officer, and served primarily with the "Thundering Herd" Eighth Armored Division in the European Theater. He was wounded in Paderborn, Germany where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. His exit physical revealed he had service incurred TB, and he spent the next five years and numerous surgeries in hospitals until he conquered the disease. His son Warren was born during this time in 1947. In 1950 he joined his father at Wilson Equipment and Supply Company, eventually taking over as President and CEO. He was a 32� Mason and Shriner as well as a member of the Jaycees. He served on the City Planning Commission and was elected twice to the Cheyenne School Board. He was a long time member of the Cheyenne Rotary Club, and was a member of the Board of Directors for Rocky Mountain Federal. He served on the Iliff School of Theology Board and the Salvation Army Board. On the national level he was appointed to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Wyoming, and served on the national board of directors for the Associated Equipment Distributors. Ray sold Wilson Equipment, when Warren decided to make the military a career. Ray and Bonnie then purchased a vacation home in Rancho Viejo, Texas. This enabled them to enjoy the best of both worlds, wintering in Texas and summering in Wyoming. They also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and world, experiencing a variety of foreign cultures. Golf was another passion they enjoyed together. Ray is survived by his wife of almost 69 years Bonnie; daughter Judy Zwick (Dwight); granddaughter Tanya Rinebarger (Trent) and great grandson Egan; grandson Karl (Caroline) and great granddaughter Charlotte; son Warren; and sister Anna Wilson. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, at the First Methodist Church, 108 E 18th, Cheyenne, WY 82001. A reception will be held after the grave side service in Allison Hall, at the First Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the First United Methodist Church, 108 E. 18th St., Cheyenne, WY 82001 or to the University of Wyoming Foundation, 1200 E. Ivinson St., Laramie, WY 82070 on behalf of the Ray Wilson Fund.