William Charles Wilson of Penn Township, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died peacefully Jan. 8 at his home, as he wished, of natural causes.

Bill was born and raised in Pittsburgh, the son of William John and Matilda Dellenbach Wilson. He graduated from Perry High School and Penn State University with a degree in ceramics engineering in 1936, where he was a Sigma Nu fraternity brother.

He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after serving during World War II in the Pacific as lieutenant commander on the LST 740, one of the ships pictured in the famous “MacArthur Returns to the Philippines” photograph from that era. He worked for the St. Regis Paper Co., retiring as national sales account manager after a 43-year career.

Bill was a member of the Nixon United Methodist Church, the Butler Country Club, and the former University Club of Pittsburgh. He had a great passion for the natural world and was a careful steward of his land. He was renowned for his garden vegetables and home-baked bread.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Elizabeth Marty Wilson, and his sister, Ruth Wilson Taft of Cleveland.

Surviving are his children, Sally Dunning, Randy Wilson and his wife, Janet, and Charlie Wilson and his wife, Laurie; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two nephews. In addition, he leaves many loving neighbors who cared deeply for this truly gentle man.

<B>WILSON</B> — A memorial service for William Charles Wilson, who died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, will be held for his family in the spring.In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Hospice Program of the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA.com), the Nixon United Methodist Church (nixonumchurch.com), or a charity of your choice.Cremation services are provided by the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.