John Wilson
 

John Wesley Wilson, 86, died on July 13, 2009 at Northern Comforts Assisted Living    facility in Wasilla AK. He was born July 20, 1922 in Los Angeles, the son of Glenn and   Ruby (Smith) Wilson.

John moved to Anchorage in October,  1961 and became active in the community. He was a member of the American Legion Post #1 where he was the chairman from 1965 to 1983. He also served as Commander of Post #1 for a period. John, who also worked as a self-employed architect, designed and built the Post. He was instrumental in the development in the Anchorage ROTC program in 1967. John officiated the 4th of July Parade in Anchorage from 1965 to 1983. In 1983, John retired from Chevron, Standard Oil. He and his wife, Mary, moved to Wasilla in 1983 to reside in the home they built.

John, known also as “Papa” to family, was an entertainer. He’d share all his war stories including his most famous story of John Wayne visiting his troop during WW II. He loved to sing, and had an amazing powerful voice, often compared to the late, great tenor, Mario Lanza. He enjoyed crafting things, including his home in Wasilla where he lived in over 20 years. He loved his wife Mary, whom he fondly called Bunny. He made beautiful unique gift cards every holiday, birthday, and special occasion for his Bunny for the past 60 years, never missing one until he could no longer hold a pencil with detail. He was a proud man who loved his country and his family.
 

John is survived by his beloved wife, Mary “Bunny” Wilson; daughter, Barbara Briggs of Palmer; grandchildren, Dian and Gary Lytle of Palmer, David Briggs of Sacramento, Calif., and Nina White of Wasilla; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Brendan Lytle and Alyssa Briggs; great-great-grandchildren, Aiden Briggs and Destany Briggs.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave. in Wasilla. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Glen Highway gate into Fort Richardson at 10:15 a.m., on Thursday for a procession into the National Cemetery for graveside service with military honors at 10:30 a.m.