Rollie C. Wilson, 96, of Galion passed away Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 at Magnolia Terrace in Galion, where he was a resident for the past three years.
He was born June 19, 1920 in Columbus and was the son of Howard and Harriet May (Briggs) Wilson. On Aug. 25, 1946 he married Esther M. Nungesser and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage until her passing on May 17, 2012.
Rollie was a 1938 graduate of North Robinson High School and went on to serve his country during World War II in the United State Army Air Corps, receiving a Purple Heart and Silver Star.
He was part-owner of Crawford Construction for 33 years and ran equipment for 20 years and then went into a foreman capacity. Rollie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Galion and was a member of the Galion Lodge 414 Free &Accepted Masons.
He was a devoted and avid fan of Colonel Crawford High School girls’ sports, especially softball and basketball. Rollie was also an avid fan of The Ohio State University women’s basketball, having season tickets for him and Esther for many years. Additionally, he served the Crawford County Fair with harness racing as he was in charge of speed control for over 30 years.
Rollie is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, Charlie (Nita) Nungesser, of Galion, Tubby (Nola) Garverick, of Goodyear, Arizona, Jim (Bonnie) Garverick, of Griffin, Georgia, Harry Garverick, of Marion, Ken (Jeanne) Bishop, of Mansfield, Dick (Sharon) Bishop, of Mansfield, Carol (Dave) Dayne, of Galion, Jane (Jim) Geyer, of Flint, Michigan, Marie (Jim) Green, of Tuscan, Arizona, and Judy Kesler, of Venice, Florida, and a sister-in-law Martha Orewiler, of Galion.
In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by three sisters Mina Garverick, Hazel Bishop and Margaret Bunn and two brothers Kenneth and Ralph “Pete” Wilson.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017 at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833 where services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, February 20 with Rev. Richard Genzman officiating. Burial will be in Crawford County Memory Gardens in Crestline.
Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Army and Galion Crestline Veterans Military Funeral Detail.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or the Esther & Rollie Wilson Scholarship Fund c/o Crawford County Community Foundation in care of the funeral home.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Rollie Wilson, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
