Donald Leslie Wilson

Donald Leslie Wilson, 73, of Longs passed away on Saturday Oct. 3, 2020, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach after a long battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 7, 1946, in Springfield, Ver., the son of Clayton Bertram and Doris Virtue Wilson.

Don graduated from Springfield High School, class of 1964. Following graduation he earned an Associate in Engineering degree from Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass. In 1984 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J. After 32 years, he retired from IBM as the manager of Equipment Engineering Services in East Fishkill, N.Y.

Don is a Vietnam veteran. He was drafted and honorably served in the Air Force from 1969-1973 and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis Hunter;

a brother, Leonard Wilson and his wife Norma; a brother, Norman Wilson; a sister-in-law, Marthanne Lamela; and a brother-in-law, Lawrence Wood.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Sherlie Wood Wilson of Longs; one daughter, Kimberly Ann Shuck and her husband Roger of New Braunfels, Texas; four grandchildren; Schuyler Shuck of Austin, Texas, Parker Shuck, Adrianna Shuck and Victoria Shuck; a sister-in-law, Leslie Messer and her husband Robert of Springfield, Ver.; a brother-in-law, Howard Wood of Ellington, Conn.; a nephew, Mike Wilson and his wife Holly of Arizona; and a nephew, Gary Salvon of California.

Don was a friend to everyone and a man of his word. He never found himself bored during his retirement. He had many interests and talents to keep him busy. He was an avid bowler, and a lifelong golfer. Don loved photography. He was a member of the Air Force 366th Fighter Association and enjoyed their annual reunions. Don was a 32 year member of the American Legion and a member of the Elks Club.

Visitation will be on Monday, Oct. 12, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be at a later date in Texas.

In Iieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Collins Foundation Annual Fund at Annual Fund – The Collings Foundation to help support the preservation of American flight heritage or the National Museum of the Air Force Foundation at https://www.afmuseum.com/donations.