Capt. Robert W. Wilson, of Yorktown, died Aug. 2, 2014, at the age of 86.
He was born May 23, 1928, in Holyoke, Mass. to Robert and Dorothy Wilson. He lived and was educated in schools of Chicopee and South Hadley, Mass. He also attended Holyoke Junior College and Springfield College where he attained his bachelor’s degree.
On April 3, 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on active duty for two years. In 1948, he joined the inactive Navy Reserve. In 1953, after being commissioned an ensign, he entered the active Naval Reserve. In 1957, he obtained a Regular Navy commission and remained on active duty until 1976.
Sea duty was served aboard an amphibious ship, a service force ship and four destroyers. Shore duty involved attending schools and serving in training commands. He served as assistant chief of staff for Plans, Naval Forces in Danang, Vietnam and director of Officer Candidate School. He also served as commanding officer for USS Charles H. Roan, (DD853) and commanding officer at U.S. Naval Station, Great Lakes, Ill. He retired from the Navy in 1976 as a captain.
During his long career in the Navy, Capt. Wilson earned the following awards: WWII Victory Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat V for service in Vietnam, Navy Commendation (two awards), Navy Unit Citation (Vietnam), Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuban Operations), National Defense Service Medal (with star), Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with star).
After retirement from the Navy, Capt. Wilson was employed by the Stanwick Corporation as a senior engineer and then was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding Company as a logistics supervisor for submarines and aircraft carriers. He was a self-employed marine surveyor for 17 years.
When his son, Craig, suffered a traumatic brain injury, Capt. Wilson and his wife, Barbara, became strong advocates for the traumatically brain-injured. They were part of the group who formed the Tidewater Head Injury Chapter, the first organization advocating for the brain-injured in Virginia.
He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Barbara; son, Christopher and wife, Katey; son, Craig; daughter, Kimberly Strunk and her husband, Steve; grandchildren, Carrie Yenni, Justin Wilson, William Wilson, Julia Wilson, Kelsey Wilson, Bryan Heden and Olivia Strunk; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James, of Granby, Mass.; son, Clifford, of Newport, R.I.; and son, Curt, of York Co.
A military service was held Wednesday Aug. 6, 2014, at the chapel of Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. Burial was held at Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, alongside his son, Curt.
In lieu of flowers please send donations in Capt. Wilson’s name to the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, 1506 Willow Lawn Dr. Suite 212, Richmond, VA 23230.
Please leave online condolences for the family in the comment section below. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home.
To view the most recent listing of WYDaily obituaries, click here.
